EFF deputy Floyd Shivambu and others to ‘step down’

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) deputy president Floyd Shivambu is reportedly set to announce his resignation from the party amid other leadership changes.

The red berets have reportedly been rocked by challenges following the recent national and provincial elections in May.

The EFF has invited the media to attend what it called an “urgent press conference” on Thursday which will be addressed by party officials.

Shivambu has also requested to be released from all his duties in the party and parliament, according to the SABC News.

His resignation is expected to be followed by other EFF members.

MP Carl Niehaus told The Citizen that claims about him leaving the EFF are not true.

“I remain a loyal member of the Economic Freedom Fighters.”

Also, former public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane confirmed to The Citizen she’s not leaving the EFF.

“I’m not leaving the EFF, I am a member in good standing.”

ALSO READ: WATCH: Shivambu dismisses claims of divisions brewing with Malema

Where to next for Shivambu

There has been speculation in many quarters that Shivambu will remain in the political sphere, with reports claiming he had been courted by Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party.

Malema upset

It is understood that Shivambu met with Julius Malema over the decision, with the party leader reportedly disappointed.

An alleged social media status from Malema, read: “Disappointments are inevitable, but there comes a time when you must make unpopular decisions. It’s painful, but it has to be done.”

‘Blood Brothers’

There has reportedly been “simmering tensions” between the two.

In July last year, Shivambu dismissed claims that there were divisions brewing between him and Malema, saying they are “blood brothers”.

Malema fired warning shots at his detractors, including Shivambu at the Red Berets 10^th anniversary gala dinner.

“We complement each other, we are not in competition with each other. I have made it clear to Floyd that the day you get tired of me, don’t go and organise against me, just tell me, ‘I think you have served your term, it is time to go’,” Malema said.

Malema vs Shivambu

Shivambu at the time said people were taking Malema’s comments about him out of context.

“There will never be a time that the EFF will be divided because of my differences with the commander-in-chief. We started working politically every day 15 years ago. So, we’ll be together forever and we represent a generational mission which will never be destroyed by anything.

“More than being political partners in the political world, it’s like we are blood brothers. So, there is never a time that the EFF will be destroyed. The opportunist will try and give their own interpretation,” Shivambu stressed.

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This is a developing story