Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) deputy president Floyd Shivambu announced on Thursday that he will be joining the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), after quitting the EFF.

Shivambu sent his resignation letter to EFF president Julius Malema on Wednesday.

“The Chairperson of Ward 44 Johannesburg has informed me that my membership of the EFF has lapsed. And I said: Please be informed that I will not renew my membership of the EFF in Ward 44 Johannesburg,” he said.

Shivambu said he requests that he must be released from his positions as an MP and all positions he has held in the EFF, noting that his non-renewal of his membership is not a vote of no confidence in the party.

“…but the revolutionary act that will allow progressive forces to unite and work towards the agenda for progressive and revolutionary change. I have never in my service of the organisation acted outside this democratic and revolutionary decisions, discipline and practice,” he said.

He pointed out that he had served the organisation with discipline, highlighting that he would never abandon the cause of economic emancipation through freedom.

Malema accepted Shivambu’s resignation, which he said had brought the same pain he felt as when he received the news of the passing away of his mother.

“…because Floyd to me is not just a Comrade. He is a Brother, and he will remain a Brother even when he pursues his Political career differently,” he said.

He pointed out that the party’s constitution did not allow people to resign and join other political parties, and come back to the party, however, he said he made the offer to Shivambu that the day he decided to come back to the EFF, he would be more than welcomed.

He highlighted that Shivambu was not the only one to leave the party, pointing out that Jimmy Manyi also resigned on Monday to join the MKP.

“…there will be many others who are going to leave the EFF because they have got their loyalty and support to the Deputy President,” he said.

Malema warned EFF fighters that they should be prepared for more people to follow Shivambu, saying this should not serve as a point of collapse for the party.

“This is a testing moment. An organisation that has lived beyond 10 years has never been through this testing moment. The EFF will have to pass this test. This is not the end, it’s a beginning of a journey because we have turned 10 years, and this is a new chapter for the EFF,” he said.

Malema wished Shivambu well, saying wherever he was going, he was going to be of value. He noted that the EFF had lost a valuable member.

He said there would be no replacement of the deputy president, since the party would be having a conference in December.

Meanwhile, the MKP confirmed Manyi and Shivambu had joined the party.

"The uMkhonto Wesizwe Party welcomes the decision by these astute and well experienced leaders as it could not have come at a better time. The onboarding of both these progressive and politically experienced comrades will further strengthen the agenda of the Progressive Caucus. Manyi and Shivambu will be deployed respectively according to their strengths and expertise," the party said.