WRAP | Floyd Shivambu will join MK Party after stepping down as ...

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WATCH | EFF press conference

(Courtesy of SABC)

EFF party leader Julius Malema and former deputy president Floyd Shivambu.

(Photo by Alfonso Nqunjana/News24)

Malema says he wants to assure the loyal, disciplined ground forces of the EFF that he will not turn his back on the EFF.

He says tomorrow, the doors of the party headquarters will still be open.

"I want to repeat that I will be buried with the flag of the EFF and I will never turn my back on my people."

- Bongekile Macupe

He says there has never been a single discussion that Floyd will be contested.

He says there was no fighting or conflict between him and Floyd that has led him to leave the EFF. He says it is painful and it was unexpected.

He says some EFF leaders shed tears because they did not see it coming. He says there is nothing they can do when people make personal decisions.

He says joining a different political party does not make them enemies.

He says, "what you need to know is that I will remain loyal to the EFF...even if I remain alone I will do so because I am loyal to this course".

- Bongekile Macupe

Malema says Manyi resigned on Monday. He says Marshall Dlamini sent him the letter, and they have accepted it.

- Bongekile Macupe

This is not the beginning of the end for the EFF, this is a new chapter. He says they will work tirelessly for the organisation.

- Bongekile Macupe

Malema says the organisation "will leave after us".

- Bongekile Macupe

Malema says there will not be a replacement for Shivambu because the party is going to an elective conference.

He says they are fortunate that Shivambu's exit from the EFF is happening on the eve of the elective conference.

He says he cannot give a list of who else is going to join the MK Party because he did not even know that Shivambu was joining it and "I'm very close to Floyd more than anyone".

- Bongekile Macupe

Malema is now also answering questions. He says he and Floyd had a meeting at his place for a very long time, "just the two of us".

He says they had an open, frank debate, and later, they were joined by the SG Marshall Dlamini.

He says this morning they had another meeting with the officials.

He says there is nothing personal about political decisions. He says nothing is going to affect their relationship.

- Bongekile Macupe

Shivambu says he does not entertain rumours and speculation even if people spread rumours about what happened or not what happened, he will not entertain that.

He says he speaks about political content and nothing else. He says he will not use any platform to talk about personal issues, and he does not think any other issue is worth responding to.

- Bongekile Macupe

Julius Malema at the press briefing in Johannesburg announcing Floyd Shivambu's resignation from the EFF.

(Photo by Alfonso Nqunjana/News24)

Shivambu says he is not going to speak about the MK Party at the EFF press conference.

He says he will speak about the MK Party in an appropriate platform.

He says the progressive caucus charter which was signed by, among others, the EFF, ATM and the MK Party speaks to the same values as those of the EFF.

- Bongekile Macupe

Shivambu is now answering questions.

- Bongekile Macupe

Floyd Shivambu's resignation prompted by a fallout with Malema, says EFF insider

Floyd Shivambu submitted his resignation as the EFF's deputy president on Wednesday evening.

City Press has been reliably told that the EFF's second in command resigned following a fallout with firebrand party leader Julius Malema.

Malema says even if he dies the EFF must remain. He says he wishes Shivambu all the best and wherever he goes, he will be an asset.

Malema ends by saying, "the show goes on".

- Bongekile Macupe

Malema says this is a testing moment for the EFF. He says this is not the end, Malema says this is the beginning of the journey.

He says this is a new chapter for the EFF. He says they will not be howling insults at each other, they are not going to speak bad about each other.

He says individuals make their own history and Shivambu has decided to write his own history. He says individuals will leave the organisation but the organisation must remain.

- Bongekile Macupe

Malema announces that Mzwanele Manyi has also left the EFF to join Mk Party.

He says there are many other people who are loyal to Shivambu who will leave to join the MK Party.

- Bongekile Macupe

Malema says the constitution of the EFF does not allow people who have left to come back. He says he has, however, asked Shivambu to come back if he wants to come back to EFF.

- Bongekile Macupe

He says when he received the letter he felt the pain he felt when he received the news of his death of his mother.

He says Shivambu is like a brother to him.

- Bongekile Macupe

Malema says he stands to accept the decision of Shivambu who has resigned in his position and did not renew his membership.

- Bongekile Macupe

"I am going to be actively involved in uMkhonto we Sizwe party", he says that is to end the speculation.

He says there is no promise that has be made to him by the MK Party.

- Bongekile Macupe

Shivambu announces that he is going to be joining the MK Party.

- Bongekile Macupe

Shivambu says political decisions should not be personalised. He refers to Julius Malema as a brother, and says he wishes all structures of the EFF will affect the difficult decision he has taken.

- Bongekile Macupe

Shivambu says he requests that he must be released from all positions he has held in the EFF.

- Bongekile Macupe

The EFF presser has started. EFF deputy president, Floyd Shivambu, is reading his resignation letter.

- Bongekile Macupe

Floyd Shivambu quits as EFF deputy president

Floyd Shivambu resigned as the EFF's deputy president on Wednesday night.

Well-placed national leadership sources told News24 that Shivambu's reasons for leaving were secret.

A press briefing is expected to be held at 12:00.