Malema takes a swipe at Shivambu after his exit from the party

JOHANNESBURG - Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Leader Julius Malema has taken a swipe at his former deputy Floyd Shivambu, accusing him of selling out an organisation he co-founded.

Malema addressed thousands of party supporters at its ground forces forum at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Monday.

Shivambu announced his departure from the party last week, and has since joined former president Jacob Zuma's MK Party.

Malema said that the organisation will remain alive, despite losing some of its integral members to the MK Party.

He said that those who left the party after the EFF's electoral decline were only interested in political influence and personal gains.

"Many of them are opportunistic because they want to see whether they will emerge in the upcoming People's Assembly before they decided whether they will remain in the EFF or not."

Malema also sent a stern warning to EFF members who remained silent while the party's integrity was compromised during Shivambu's exit.