Floyd Shivambu's downfall: 'He shot himself in the foot' - Ebrahim Harvey, political analyst

Cape Talk's Lester Kiewit speaks to Ebrahim Harvey, a political analyst and author.

Listen below:

A party beset with internal strife since its formation.

That's the opinion of political analyst Ebrahim Harvey on Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party).

The party this week announced the deployment of its (now former) Secretary-General, Floyd Shivambu, to Parliament's backbenches.

It says Shivambu would no longer hold the position of Secretary-General, due to his recent visit to the church of controversial prophet and fugitive Shepherd Bushiri in Malawi.

Harvey says Shivambu's trip was ill-advised at best.

ALSO READ: Are we witnessing the downfall of Shivambu in MKP?

"From what was a very strategic position, he has really shot himself in the foot."

- Ebrahim Harvey, political analyst

"It's probably the most counter-productive, obtuse and stupid political move that he has ever made."

- Ebrahim Harvey, political analyst

Shivambu's defection from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) - a party he co-founded - in August last year sent shockwaves through South Africa's political arena.

He later announced he would be joining Zuma's MK Party.

Harvey says Shivambu should have known the MK Party top brass would never have approved the Malawi trip.

"Bushiri is wanted for how many rape charges, criminal charges, fraud? ... How could he do that and not expect a backlash?"

- Ebrahim Harvey, political analyst

Harvey ponders who may replace Shivambu as Secretary-General and what the long-term consequences of the decision to remove him may be.

"How is this thing going to be navigated? ... What are the consequences going to be now for MK and its leadership?"

- Ebrahim Harvey, political analyst

Scroll up to listen to the full conversation.