Shivambu withdraws 'drug and alcohol abuse' comments about MK Party's Ndlela
The retraction came shortly after Ndlela filed a R3 million defamation lawsuit against Shivambu at the Johannesburg High Court.
Former uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party member Floyd Shivambu during a media briefing on 27 June 2025. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - Former uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party secretary-general Floyd Shivambu has withdrawn comments he made about party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndlela, in which he accused him of being addicted to drugs and alcohol.
The retraction came shortly after Ndlela filed a R3 million defamation lawsuit against Shivambu at the Johannesburg High Court.
Ndlela argues Shivambu’s remarks have damaged his reputation, forming the basis of his legal claim for defamation of character.
ALSO READ: MK Party's Ndlela sues Shivambu for defamation of character, demanding R3m
Shivambu made the allegations during a series of television interviews this week.
He officially retracted his statements during a media briefing on Friday.
"When I spoke the other time, I was not yet the national convenor of the Mayibuye process. Part of the guidance, which I agreed to, is that I must unconditionally retract statements about drug and alcohol abuse of Nhlamulo Ndlela unconditionally."