Shivambu Says Plot to Oust Zuma Led to His Removal as MK Secretary‑General

Former uMkhonto we Sizwe Party (MK Party) secretary‑general Floyd Shivambu has broken his silence following his dismissal earlier this month. He has now revealed new details: rather than his controversial meeting with prophet Shepherd Bushiri, the reason given by party officials was an alleged plan to dethrone MK leader Jacob Zuma.

At a press briefing on Thursday, Shivambu said the party’s national officials accused him of using his leadership role to build structures and raise funds aimed at removing Zuma from power.

“The reason … was that I wanted to overthrow Zuma as president of Mkhonto we Sizwe. All the work that I was doing … was meant to help me clear the removal of Zuma … And as part of that … an extremely bizarre and fake intelligence report was produced …” Shivambu stated.

Shivambu insisted the intelligence report was invented, alleging it falsely claimed he held conversations with African intermediaries about securing funds to remove Zuma.

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This marks a shift from earlier explanations, which attributed his removal to an unofficial visit to Bushiri’s church in Malawi — deemed in violation of party policy.

Jacob Zuma, speaking earlier this week, stressed the party would not tolerate indiscipline. “If one of us goes off track, we don’t beg them … We’ve had seven secretary‑generals … we don’t care how great you are … we talk about our party,” Zuma declared.

Shivambu was removed from the secretary‑general post on 3 June, with the MK Party announcing his redeployment to Parliament. Zuma described this as a strategic move following an internal review of Shivambu’s trip to Malawi.

In response to his removal, Shivambu is reportedly exploring the formation of a new political party — initially without resigning from MK — signaling a turbulent period within Zuma’s political movement.