A prime official in considered one of South Africa’s largest political events has been sacked after he visited a controversial Malawian pastor in April.
Floyd Shivambu has been eliminated as secretary-general of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) social gathering barely six months into the job after he attended an Easter service at self-proclaimed pastor Shepherd Bushiri’s church.
Mr Bushiri, from Malawi, was considered one of southern Africa’s greatest identified preachers when he was arrested and charged with fraud in South Africa in 2020.
After being launched on bail, he managed to flee to his house nation in unclear circumstances. South Africa has been making an attempt to extradite him ever since.
Mr Bushiri denies any wrongdoing and, collectively together with his spouse Mary, has utilized to assessment a judgment that accepted their extradition to South Africa, in response to native information web site Eyewitness Information.
The MK social gathering, which was based by former President Jacob Zuma, stated in a press convention on Wednesday that Mr Shivambu’s removing got here after his actions “have been discovered to be towards the spirit and prescripts of the MK social gathering’s structure”.
“The president and nationwide officers have been left with no different choice however to behave swiftly,” stated MK nationwide chair Nathi Nhleko.
He added that the journey “was not an formally sanctioned programme of the organisation”.
Nevertheless, Mr Shivambu stays a member of the social gathering and can as a substitute signify MK within the Nationwide Meeting.
Reacting to information of his demotion, Mr Shivambu stated he “absolutely accepts” the choice taken by the social gathering and appeared ahead to taking over his new function in parliament.
Mr Shivambu joined the MK social gathering in August final yr from the rival Financial Freedom Fighters (EFF) and was later appointed secretary-general – one of many social gathering’s prime positions.
Underneath the management of former President Zuma, the newly shaped MK social gathering got here third in final yr’s elections – a significant component within the governing ANC shedding its majority for the primary time since democratic elections have been launched in 1994.
Mr Shivambu was extensively criticised in April when he reposted footage shared on X by Mr Bushiri exhibiting the self-proclaimed pastor asking tons of of worshippers at his Jesus Nation church to welcome the South African politician.
The politician, in his retweet, additionally praised Mr Bushiri for his “good work” and “for internet hosting us”.
Mr Bushiri is a millionaire who arrange church buildings in a number of African nations.
He’s accused of preying on poor individuals who have been determined to enhance their lives by promoting merchandise together with “miracle oil”.
The self-proclaimed prophet claims to have cured folks of HIV, made the blind see, modified the fortunes of the impoverished and, on at the very least one event, walked on air.
Mr Bushiri has additionally been charged with rape. He and his spouse have denied any wrongdoing.
Sanet Solomon, an analyst primarily based at South Africa’s College of the Free State, stated Mr Shivambu’s removing was “anticipated” given the damaging publicity his go to to Malawi garnered.
“His removing does, nonetheless, increase questions and issues round management retention and succession planning because the social gathering is getting ready to welcome its sixth secretary basic in its second yr of existence. These modifications additional exacerbate issues across the social gathering’s stability,” she instructed the BBC.
Mr Shivambu has been the MK social gathering’s longest-serving secretary basic for the reason that social gathering’s formation in December 2023.
Ms Solomon added that Shivambu’s “management type” and “rigidity with different social gathering leaders” have been contributing components in his final downfall inside the social gathering.
The inner battle between Mr Shivambu and a few MK social gathering leaders performed out publicly when Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile, was pressured to apologise after calling him “ineffective” and “the worst factor that occurred to MK” in a put up on X earlier this yr.
“It will not be shocking if he [Shivambu] quickly pronounces his departure from the social gathering,” Ms Solomon predicted.
