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South Africa
Julius Malema warns Floyd Shivambu following his desertion of the EFF, threatening to reveal secrets
Ayize claire
Nov 25, 2024
Floyd Shivambu, Julius Malema, and Mbuyiseni Ndlozi exiting the Randburg courthouse
EFF leader Julius Malema has issued a stern warning to his former deputy, Floyd Shivambu, threatening to reveal undisclosed details if provoked.
"I never initiated a fight with anyone. They went to sit and said 'we have to drop him, we have to finish him off.' I regarded him as my brother. If I must be challenged one day and be pushed, I will talk. Don’t push me," Malema declared.
The fallout stems from years of camaraderie dating back to the ANC Youth League. Shivambu's alleged decision to sideline Malema during his resignation announcement deepened the rift. Shivambu described their bond on a podcast as political, dismissing notions of true brotherhood: "Sometimes this so-called brotherhood thing is not brotherhood. It borders on gangster relationships."
Despite the tension, Malema maintains his respect for Shivambu, even entrusting him with family matters.
“If I die, you must contact uncle Floyd so you guys work together with your mother on the programme of the funeral,” Malema told his son.
Shivambu’s exit in August was described by Malema as a loss akin to his mother’s passing. The EFF plans to elect new leaders next month to fill Shivambu’s vacancy. Malema also alleged on an EFF podcast that Shivambu once chased a school principal with a knife during his youth.
As the party prepares for its upcoming elective conference, the strained ties between the two former allies continue to dominate headlines.
