South Africa’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party has dismissed its secretary-general, Floyd Shivambu, just six months after his appointment, following an unsanctioned visit to controversial Malawian preacher Shepherd Bushiri during Easter. Shivambu, a former senior member of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), joined MK in August 2023 and quickly rose to become one of its top leaders. His attendance at a church service led by Bushiri in Malawi in April 2025 raised internal concerns within MK, prompting disciplinary discussions.
Bushiri, once a prominent religious figure in southern Africa, fled South Africa in 2020 after being charged with fraud and money laundering. He skipped bail under mysterious circumstances and returned to Malawi, where he continues to preach. South Africa has since been pursuing his extradition, but the process has stalled. Bushiri maintains his innocence.
At a press briefing on Wednesday, MK national spokesperson Nathi Nhleko said Shivambu’s conduct “violated the spirit and prescripts of the MK party’s constitution,” noting that his trip was “not an officially sanctioned programme of the organisation.” He emphasized that the leadership was forced to act swiftly to uphold party principles.
Despite his removal from the secretary-general position, Shivambu will retain his status as an MK member and will now serve as one of the party’s representatives in South Africa’s National Assembly. Shivambu responded to the announcement by saying he “fully accepts” the party’s decision and is committed to continuing his political career in parliament. The MK party, led by former President Jacob Zuma, made a surprise third-place finish in South Africa’s 2024 general election, significantly contributing to the African National Congress (ANC) losing its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994.
