Northern Cape figures deny ties to Afrika Mayibuye Movement

SEVERAL well-known local individuals whose names appear on a list of provincial executive officials for Floyd Shivambu’s newly formed Afrika Mayibuye Movement have denied that they are members of the organisation or that they were elected to its Northern Cape structure.

They said they had never provided their biographies or identity numbers to the party and believed their personal details were being used without consent in a fraudulent attempt to attract potential voters.

One of the affected parties, former Thembelihle Municipality Speaker Danny Jonas, said he informed the Afrika Mayibuye Movement that he did not wish to serve on its provincial or any other structure when approached.

“To my surprise, somebody sent me a Facebook post with a list where my name is reflected as a deputy organiser. I received several calls and messages to forward my details, but I never sent them to anyone. I need to clarify my position, that I am not available to serve on any structure of the Afrika Mayibuye Movement,” Jonas said.

He added that the list could harm his future employment prospects.

“I am still weighing up my options and do not want to be misrepresented as a member of a political party that I never signed up for. I have not received any feedback after raising my dissatisfaction with the provincial co-ordinator, although I was part of the names that were removed from the WhatsApp group.”  

Jonas said he had not ruled out joining another political party.

“I am still living in Hopetown after my home was petrol-bombed while I was the Speaker at Thembelihle Municipality. I lost everything — including my house — through prolonged and costly court battles when I was removed as a councillor. Luckily, I still have my dignity.”

He noted that he had previously helped to establish the EFF and the Sityathemba Community Movement in the district.

“I have discovered my passion to offer advice and assist vulnerable community members to win their labour cases, even though I do not charge them a cent.” 

The Afrika Mayibuye Movement’s provincial spokesperson had not responded to media enquiries at the time of publication.