MKP spokesperson demands apology from Floyd Shivambu over drug allegations
MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela denies drug allegations, saying he has medical proof that disputes claims made by Floyd Shivambu.
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
A heated exchange between uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) officials has escalated into a legal standoff after its national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela, has demanded a public apology and retraction from former Secretary General Floyd Shivambu.
During an eNCA interview on June 23, Shivambu claimed Ndhlela was "always on drugs" and "always high on alcohol," further stating he takes pride in lying to MKP President Jacob Zuma.
“He came to me to say that I am going to overthrow him (Zuma), but the report which was presented in the meeting of officials that took that decision, that report came with him and it was given to him by the people I refer to as scoundrels.
“This includes an imbecile, a fool called Nhlamulo Ndhlela one of the foolish leaders of Umkhonto weSizwe…He's always on drugs and always high on alcohol in terms of how he deals with issues….That is what we're dealing with every day and he will even take pride that he is going to tell lies to President Zuma about,” Shivambu said in the interview.
Ndhlela's legal team, Ndou Inc Attorneys, swiftly responded with a letter of demand, giving Shivambu 48 hours to follow several key demands.
The letter demands that Shivambu must issue a clear, unequivocal retraction on his X account, pinned for seven days, stating the allegations were false and regrettable and offer a sincere apology that must be published alongside the retraction, acknowledging harm caused to Ndhlela's reputation.
Ndhlela also demanded that Shivambu is required to contact eNCA to broadcast a correction or clarification, stating his statements were untrue and cease from making further defamatory statements about Ndhlela on any platform.
The letter further states that failure to comply within the specified timeframe may lead to severe consequences, including defamation action where Ndhlela may pursue the case in the High Court, seeking substantial damages for harm to his reputation, emotional distress, and financial losses.
A court order may also be sought compelling Shivambu to retract the statements and to issue a public apology. Shivambu will be liable for all costs associated with legal proceedings, including attorney-and-client costs, the letter reads.
Coupled with the letter of demand, Ndhlela has also made available negative blood results that he collected on Tuesday, proving that he had no drugs in his system
It was not clear yet if Shivambu had acknowledged receipt of the letter from the attorneys or what his intentions were as his phone rang unanswered and he did not respond to text messages.
Last week Shivambu made his intentions clear that he would remain a member of the Zuma-led party despite his intention of forming a new political party.
His stance appears to mirror Zuma’s move when he refused to terminate his ANC membership after he had announced that he would be leading the MK Party.
Shivambu told a media briefing in Johannesburg that his removal from his position was due to a fake intelligence report claiming he wanted to overthrow Zuma.
He also made assertions that he would never rejoin the ANC nor the EFF as a “self respecting” individual because the ANC was disorganised and the EFF was a cult.
However both the ANC and the EFF appeared to be unfazed by Shivambu’s assertions.
ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula said Shivambu had an 'horrible experience".
“We understand that he (Shivambu) is in a heavy accident…it's unbelievable that you can be in a party less than a year and you get chucked out from being promoted to a high position. You craft constitutions then people just leave you and deal with you that way.
“So it has to be understood that when you are faced with an accident it's a horrible experience..and that's what he is going through,” Mbalula said.
EFF leader Julius Malema dismissed any ties with Shivambu, saying that the EFF remains focused on their parliamentary work and will not be derailed by former allies.
“I don’t work with Floyd anywhere, Parliament, or soccer matches, or anything. I don’t work with Floyd,” Malema said.
EFF senior member and City of Johannesburg MMC for public safety Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, denied claims that the EFF was a cult.
“If there was a problem in the EFF, it is Floyd. He is a very divisive man. But I don't want to get into that. Many of us have been injured because of him,” Tshwaku said.
Shivambu left the EFF in August last year after 10 years as Malema’s deputy.