Zuma's MK Party Confirms Former EFF Dep Pres As National Organiser

The main opposition far-left populist uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) Party has confirmed the retention of former South African President Jacob Zuma as party leader, with former judge John Hlophe as deputy leader and official Leader of the Opposition. The party has also named Floyd Shivambu as 'national organiser'.

• Until 15 Aug, Shivambu had served as Deputy President of the extreme-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) since its foundation in 2013. His defection came as a major blow to the EFF and its leader Julius Malema.
• There has been speculation that Shivambu joining the MK Party is the first in a series of defections intended to solidify MK's position as the main opposition force at the head of the far-left 'Progressive Caucus' that stands against the broad 'Government of National Unity' (GNU).
• The GNU retains a sizeable majority in parliament and despite historical animosity between the ANC of President Cyril Ramaphosa and the centrist DA of Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen, has shown little sign of major internal tensions. As such the MK Party-EFF travails are set to remain a political sideshow, unlikely to trouble gov't stability.