The Intricate Ties Between EFF's Floyd Shivambu and Billionaire Johann Rupert

Revelations about a clandestine connection between Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) deputy president Floyd Shivambu and South African billionaire Johann Rupert have emerged. Despite public castigation by the EFF of Rupert as part of an alleged 'Stellenbosch Mafia', Shivambu reportedly engaged in covert discussions with him, feeding him inside political information during the ANC presidential race of 2017.

Shivambu's relationship with Rupert comes to light amidst a torrent of controversies involving the EFF, including their stance against the Government of National Unity and their alleged involvement in the VBS Mutual Bank financial scandal, where considerable sums of money intended to benefit the poor were instead misappropriated.

Former VBS chairman, Tshifhiwa Matodzi, has implicated the EFF leadership in accepting illicit funds in an attempt to silence criticism of the bank following its controversial loan to former president Jacob Zuma. This allegation is underscored by Brian Shivambu's admission of unjustifiably receiving money from VBS, further entangling the EFF in financial irregularities.

Despite the heavy criticism, the EFF, particularly its leaders Shivambu and Julius Malema, continue to enjoy the support of marginalized sectors within South African society through their populist rhetoric that often targets affluent South African families like the Ruperts and the Oppenheimers.

As detailed in Pieter du Toit's book "The Stellenbosch Mafia", Shivambu nurtured a symbiotic liaison with Rupert, providing him advisory counsel, which seemingly challenged Shivambu's public persona as staunchly anti-establishment. The relationship allegedly involved guidance offered to Rupert on how to reshape the public's perception of him, suggesting that a candid media interview could be beneficial in dispelling misconceptions.

Such an alliance, indicative of double standards, draws scrutiny given the EFF's vilification of white monopoly capital. Rupert's statement about their meeting requesting assistance for a Limpopo hospital project paints a picture of Shivambu and the EFF circumventing the very rhetoric they disseminate to their followers.

Despite Shivambu's refutation of the claims—including his pivotal role in advising Rupert to engage the media, as well as denying monetary ties to VBS—it is irrefutable that the EFF deputy president's actions cast doubt on the ethics and transparency of the party that positions itself as pro-poor.