‘Floyd is a coward’: Nolubabalo Mcinga slams Shivambu as turbulence rocks Afrika Mayibuye Movement
Floyd Shivambu, leader of the newly formed Afrika Mayibuye Movement, has come under fire following the dismissal of his deputy, Dr Nolubabalo Mcinga, over alleged misconduct.
Image: Mayibuye
The fledgling Afrika Mayibuye Movement (AMM), led by former EFF heavyweight Floyd Shivambu, has been rocked by internal strife after its deputy president, Dr Nolubabalo Mcinga, was fired over what the party describes as “organisational and political misconduct”.
Last week, IOL reported that the movement confirmed Mcinga’s removal, effective immediately, citing misconduct that included an unauthorised meeting with uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party leader Jacob Zuma.
The announcement followed reports of infighting between Mcinga and Shivambu, who launched the AMM recently as a new left-leaning political platform.
Responding to her dismissal, Mcinga has rejected the decision, insisting she remains in her position and accusing Shivambu of insecurity and weak leadership.
“With Afrika Mayibuye, I am still a member. Why not? Why would you form something and want to leave it? I formed it and I recruited, I mobilised, I brought people into Afrika Mayibuye. I cannot just leave my constituency like that,” Mcinga told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika while wearing an MK party-branded dress.
Turning her fire directly on Shivambu, Mcinga said she was disappointed by his conduct.
“I am very disappointed in his leadership. I really had high regard. His leadership skills are around gossip … and I think he is a coward. He can’t face women. I mean, he could have called me, sat down with me to have a one-on-one and speak to me like he did when he asked me to come and start the party.”
Mcinga added that she had tried several times to engage Shivambu, but her attempts were ignored.
Party confirms her removal
In a statement issued on Friday morning, the Afrika Mayibuye Movement announced Mcinga’s immediate removal from its leadership structures.
“The national officials of the Afrika Mayibuye Movement have unanimously resolved to remove Ms Nolubabalo Mcinga as the first deputy president of the organisation, effective immediately,” said national spokesperson Sydney Baloyi.
Baloyi said the decision was taken to “decisively protect and defend the integrity of the organisation against infiltration and abuse of office for personal gain.”
He added that, under the party’s constitution, national officials have the authority to appoint or remove leaders from organisational responsibilities, and had duly exercised this right.
“While Ms Mcinga has been removed as deputy president, a sound decision was taken to retain her membership of the organisation with full rights and obligations,” Baloyi said.
Baloyi confirmed that the party would institute disciplinary proceedings against Mcinga for organisational and political misconduct.
“Ms Mcinga held unauthorised meetings with Mr Jacob Zuma without the organisation’s mandate, contrary to the decision that all engagements by leaders of the Afrika Mayibuye Movement must be approved by the collective,” he said.
Background
The row has exposed early cracks within the newly formed movement, which only launched in September. The AMM positions itself as a progressive, pan-African alternative in South Africa’s crowded political landscape, but Mcinga’s expulsion and her explosive remarks have raised questions about unity and internal discipline within the party.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL News