Zuma’s inner circle turns on Floyd Shivambu as MK Party prepares for 2026 local government elections

"It's all we are discussing. We can't move forward to 2026 with him in that position. He needs to go."

That's the growing sentiment within the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party against Secretary General, Floyd Shivambu. At a high level MK meeting held Monday evening, discussions centred around Shivambu and growing anger at what insiders say is his failure to deliver to his mandate since joining the party seven months ago.

"Let's be clear. He failed to live up to expectations. He failed to grow the party. The bottom line is he is incompetent for what MK needs. That's the reality. He is not liked by those on the ground and he is not able to deliver. We can't go into 2026 with this albatross around our neck. He has the ear of President Zuma but even he is starting to see what we are saying. Shivambu is not helping the MK," a senior MK source told IOL.

The growing internal revolt against Shivambu has deepened divisions with some defending him and others calling for his removal. Zuma's daughter, Duduzile who has previously openly criticised Shivambu is said to be rebuilding her relationship with Zuma after the humiliation of being asked to apologise for her comments around Shivambu in which she called him 'incompetent.'

"Duduzile fights everyone's battles. And what she said is what most of us in the party have been saying. But because it came from her she was punished for it. But she is starting to make President Zuma see what we are saying about Floyd. It's just a matter of time," added the insider.

Shivambu is alleged to earn a salary of around R120,000 per month as Secretary General and there's fury over his lack of meeting party objectives since stepping into that role. He joined the MK in August last year, amid a sensational, shock defection from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party he co-founded with its firebrand leader, Julius Malema.

But, euphoria amongst his supporters appear to be fizzling out as the once rubble rousing Shivambu has become more subdued in public since joining MK. He has maintained relative silence around his defection and rumours around disgruntlement over his role in MK.

Behind the scenes, MK has been hitting the ground running as it gears up for local government elections next year. And a key strategy, says another insider, is to appoint people on the group who are popular. "We need people chosen by the people. Right now, Floyd is not one of those and that's a problem."

Despite being relatively quiet in public, the party is expected to once again, deliver a shocking surprise at the local polls - as it did in the national elections.

"We are working hard on the ground and the local elections are going to be another surprise. We have learnt. We made our mistakes and we admit we were not ready for the massive support we received. We, ourselves were not expecting that level. But we are more experienced now. Come 2026 we are going to surprise everyone, again and be ready for delivery. Watch us!" quipped the MK insider.

IOL News