LISTEN | Malema threatens Floyd Shivambu, ‘Push me, and I’ll talk’, amid political tensions

26 November 2024 - 06:50
By Bulelani Nonyukela
August 15 2025
Floyd Shivambu and Julius Malema during the  press conference to announce his  resignation to MK part in Johannesburg.
PHOTO: ANTONIO MUCHAVE.
Image: ANTONIO MUCHAVE August 15 2025 Floyd Shivambu and Julius Malema during the press conference to announce his resignation to MK part in Johannesburg. PHOTO: ANTONIO MUCHAVE.

EFF leader Julius Malema threatened his former deputy Floyd Shivambu that he will spill the beans should he be pushed.

Malema’s warning to Shivambu

“I never initiated a fight with anyone. They went to sit and said 'we have to drop him, we have to finish him off'," Malema said on Monday about those who knew about Shivambu’s imminent departure.

“I regarded him as my brother. If he doesn’t feel the same about me it’s his problem. I did everything for him as a brother. If I must be challenged one day and be pushed, I will talk. Don’t push me.”

Listen to Malema:

Malema and Shivambu’s strained relationship

The two had a close relationship for years emanating from the ANC Youth League until it became clear, when Shivambu allegedly sidelined the party leader about his resignation, that things had soured.

Recently Shivambu characterised their ties as a political relationship on a podcast: "Sometimes this so called brotherhood thing is not brotherhood. It borders on gangster relationships that we are together and we can’t call each other to order even if the person is wrong."

Malema told the media he had informed his children to contact “uncle Floyd” to oversee aspects of his funeral.

Asked about an alleged fight between them, Malema said: “You’ll have to slaughter cows for that fight to happen. It will never happen. That’s what the enemy is wishing for. I told my son ‘if I die, you must contact uncle Floyd so you guys work together with your mother on the programme of the funeral’.'

When the party announced Shivambu’s exit in August, Malema said he felt the same pain he felt when his mother passed away.

On an EFF podcast ahead of the party’s elective conference next month, Malema alleged Shivambu had chased his school principal with a knife while he wasa pupil.

The EFF will fill Shivambu’s vacancy next month when leaders of the party will be elected.

Floyd Shivambu, Julius Malema and Mbuyiseni Ndlozi leaving the Randburg court.
Image: Thapelo Morebudi Floyd Shivambu, Julius Malema and Mbuyiseni Ndlozi leaving the Randburg court.