uMkhonto weSizwe MK Party Secretary-General Floyd Shivambu has sparked a rift with party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela over the formers meeting with self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri.
Shivambu met Bushiri in Malawi in April and attended his Easter church service. This raised controversy because the South African government views Bushiri as a fugitive from the law.
In March, a Malawian court ordered Bushiri and his wife Marys extradition to South Africa to face various charges, some related to his alleged escape in 2020 after being granted bail. They have filed an appeal, which is yet to be heard.
Amid the controversy, MK Party issued a statement distancing itself from Shivambus meeting with Bushiri, saying it had not sanctioned, endorsed or initiated it.
The Secretary-General undertook this visit in his personal capacity and without the mandate or knowledge of the party, it added.
We remain firmly opposed to any association with individuals who are fugitives from justice. Our values are rooted in integrity, justice and accountability, and we reject any actions that compromise the reputation and ethical standing of our movement.
MK Party statement on Bushiri unfortunateHowever, in an interview with SABC News Mzwandile Mbeje on Wednesday 28 May, Shivambu described the statement as unfortunate.
"I think the unfortunate statement was out of the misunderstanding of what got to transpire in terms of the visit itself, he said.
He claimed MK Party leader Jacob Zuma mandated him to visit Malawi when they attended the inauguration of Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in March.
"We were sitting with former president Joyce Banda of Malawi. And we were also sitting with the incumbent Deputy President, Michael Usi of Malawi. President Zuma said that we must make follow-up on the discussions that were raised, he explained.