Shivambu Apologises for Drug Claims Against MK Party Spokesperson

Floyd Shivambu, the former Secretary-General of the MK Party, former spokesperson of the ANCYL, former Deputy President of the EFF, and current lead negotiator in the Mayibuye political formation, has publicly apologized for making unfounded allegations regarding drug and alcohol use against the party’s spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndlela. This apology follows a series of accusations made during a live media briefing at the Mhulu Hotel, where Shivambu claimed that Ndlela was a “drug addict” and “always drunk.”

Shivambu’s comments sparked outrage, prompting a swift response from Ndlela’s legal team. They sent a letter demanding a retraction and an apology, describing Shivambu’s statements as false, defamatory, and made with reckless disregard for the truth. The letter warned that failure to comply could result in legal action, including a defamation lawsuit.

In his apology, Shivambu stated, “I must unconditionally retract the statements about drug use and alcohol abuse of Nhlamulo Ndlela.” He emphasized the importance of responsible communication among public figures.

In response to the allegations, Ndlela has filed a civil case against Shivambu, seeking R3 million in damages for reputational harm, emotional distress, and financial losses. Additionally, Ndlela has publicly shared negative drug screening results to counter Shivambu’s claims, reinforcing his position against the accusations.