EFF Hits Back at Floyd Shivambu, SA Split As Party Throws Him Under the Bus Over VBS Bank Scandal
- The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) says Floyd Shivambu must answer allegations related to the VBS Mutual Bank scandal
- The party's Sinawo Thambo made the comments after Shivambu criticised the Red Berets during an interview with the SABC
- South Africans weighed in on the EFF's response, with some questioning why the party was only calling him out now for it
Source: Getty Images
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
Floyd Shivambu has a case to answer when it comes to the VBS Mutual Bank corruption scandal.
That’s according to the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), who hit back at the former party member over recent comments he made about the Red Berets.
In an interview with SABC News, the former Deputy President claimed that EFF members deployed in government only cared about self-enrichment. But the EFF has since thrown Shivambu under the bus, noting his own skeletons.
What did the EFF say about Shivambu?
In an interview with The Citizen, spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said that Shivambu must respond to allegations about his involvement in the VBS scandal.
Parliament’s Ethics Committee found in 2023 that Shivambu failed to disclose R180,000 that he had received from a company linked to VBS. Rampant looting at VBS led to it eventually collapsing, with Julius Malema and Shivambu linked to the looting.
While Parliament failed to find evidence against Malema, Thambo pointed out that Shivambu was still sanctioned for not declaring proceeds.
“Floyd Shivambu is the one who was sanctioned by Parliament for not declaring proceeds of money from VBS and other benefactors.
“If there was any corruption in the EFF, he is best placed to know it, as the only person to have ever been found guilty of corruption/misconduct is him,” Thambo stated.
Source: Getty Images
Shivambu describes EFF as being directionless
Thambo’s comments come after Shivambu’s appearance on Morning Live on 10 September 2025, where he said that the EFF was directionless.
The President of the Afrika Mayibuye Movement ripped into his former party, saying that the conduct of its members was not dissimilar to that of African National Congress members.
“The EFF is not an alternative to the crisis of South Africa; if anything, it will deepen the crisis of South Africa because it is directionless, and secondly, it has adopted the habits and mannerisms of the ANC,” he said.
You can watch his comments below:
What did South Africans think about Thambo’s comments?
Social media users weighed in on the EFF’s response to Shivambu, sharing mixed reactions to the decision to throw him under the bus.
Naomi Elphas said:
“Believe it when they say that politics is just a game.”
Maphuti Seruthe Raseruthe added:
“It’s better that they keep quiet. Why only now?”
Nicolasdj Rsa Rsa stated:
“That time he went to Zuma's party was because he wanted protection from the VBS scandal, because he stole the money there.”
Joe Zama Thomas agreed:
“South Africans were saying that Zuma will protect him.”
Sbonelo Thahlo exclaimed:
“Yoooh, the EFF is done playing games. Die poppe sal dans.”
Dean Van Der Merwe said:
“There is always that old saying, there is no honour amongst thieves.”
Sol Kofzen stated:
“Ayi, that's lame. We need to talk real, practical politics. Slandering and character assassination won't work.”
Masweu Mj Jacky said:
“That’s politicians for you. When they are still allies, they protect each other. Once they start fighting, things like this come out, and you have people who still follow these politicians and believe they are incredible leaders🚮.”
Happy Nkwe noted:
“They told us that he had nothing to do with VBS when he was with the EFF. They must be liars.”
Shivambu says EFF is a cult
Briefly News reported that this wasn't the first time that Shivambu took a cheap shot at his former political home.
Shivambu maintained that leaving the Red Berets was the best decision he ever made.
The former deputy president of the party also agreed with some people that the EFF was a cult.
Source: Briefly News
