EFFsc Sihle Lonzi vs MK Party Floyd Shivambu
By Thabo Mosia
Johannesburg – The ongoing tensions within the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) took a dramatic turn on Friday when Sihle Lonzi, President of the Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command (EFFSC), publicly shared a heated WhatsApp exchange with former EFF Deputy President Floyd Shivambu on social media platform X. The fallout between the two prominent figures has sent shockwaves through South Africa’s political landscape, highlighting the growing divisions within the EFF, particularly in the wake of Shivambu’s recent departure from the party to join the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party.
The conflict between Lonzi and Shivambu reached a boiling point after Lonzi accused Shivambu of betraying the revolutionary principles of the EFF. Lonzi’s accusation was rooted in Shivambu’s controversial decision to resign from his position within the EFF and assume the role of National Organiser for the newly established MK Party. Lonzi, in a scathing post, condemned Shivambu’s move, stating that it was “tantamount to, if not worse than betrayal of Revolution. It’s Betrayal of Principle. It’s abandoning a revolutionary path you committed yourself to, and convinced others to join you on. It’s cowardice, intellectual dishonesty and political bankruptcy!”
Shivambu did not take these accusations lightly. He initiated a conversation with Lonzi via WhatsApp, where he expressed his disapproval of Lonzi’s public statements. Shivambu warned Lonzi to desist from making “foolish posts,” but Lonzi remained defiant, responding that he had taken an oath to defend the EFF and would not back down. The exchange quickly escalated into a personal feud, with Shivambu accusing Lonzi of incompetence and corruption, while Lonzi labeled Shivambu a “sellout” and an agent of infiltration within the EFF.
Lonzi’s decision to publicize the conversation has intensified the rift between the two leaders, drawing widespread attention on social media. Naledi Chirwa, a prominent figure within the EFF, weighed in on the matter, criticizing the situation as a manipulative attempt to create division among younger leaders within the party. Chirwa took to X to voice her concerns, stating, “It’s cunning to want to pit two younger men against each other. It’s a manipulative tactic to destroy their confidence & create enmity between them. To destroy us. The emotional & psychological manipulation is low even for him. Let the YOUNG BE! You had YOUR chance! Yekela umona!”
The roots of the conflict between Lonzi and Shivambu can be traced back to an earlier incident where Lonzi publicly supported Julius Malema for a third term as EFF President, a position that some believed Shivambu was eyeing for himself. This perceived slight by Lonzi appears to have exacerbated existing tensions, leading to the public fallout.
Shivambu’s departure from the EFF and his subsequent role in the MK Party has also drawn criticism from other young leaders within the EFF. They have accused him of abandoning the party’s revolutionary ideals for personal gain. According to sources within the party, these criticisms reflect broader dissatisfaction among EFF members, particularly those who feel betrayed by Shivambu’s defection.
During a recent Umkhonto weSizwe briefing, Shivambu addressed the growing criticisms, taking aim at Julius Malema and other EFF leaders. He accused Malema of authoritarianism and of suppressing dissent within the party. Shivambu’s comments have only served to widen the gap between him and the EFF leadership, further diminishing the chances of reconciliation.
In response to Shivambu’s address, Malema delivered a scathing rebuttal during a gathering of the EFF Ground Forces in Gauteng. Malema criticized Shivambu for his actions, accusing him of undermining the party’s mission and values. Malema made it clear that Shivambu would not be welcomed back into the EFF, signaling a definitive break between the two former allies.
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