Afrika Mayibuye president Floyd Shivambu has criticised former uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party secretary-general Sibonelo Nomvalo following his emotional media briefing, during which he broke down in tears while speaking about the impact of the political controversy on his family.
In a post on X, Shivambu questioned whether Nomvalo’s emotional moment was part of his media statement, suggesting that political setbacks should not result in public displays of emotion.
“Was the crying part of the media statement? Some of us will never cry for party political decisions or false accusations…. Never! We never mourn, we organise ourselves better. Tough Luck brother, the chicken audacity you displayed in the beginning is now reduced to tears,” Shivambu wrote.
His remarks have attracted criticism from some social media users, who have defended Nomvalo and questioned the decision to mock him for becoming emotional.
One X user, @muVuningi, responded:
“A true revolutionary can never kick a brother that is already down, NEVER. Even ubuntu can’t allow it!”
Another user, @tbletlape, argued that Nomvalo’s tears were related to the emotional impact the situation had on his family.
“His tears were triggered by emotional pain concerning his family. That deserves compassion. Using someone’s family pain to score political points is inhumane. Political differences should never cost us our humanity,” the user wrote.
Nomvalo became emotional during his Friday media briefing in Durban while discussing how the developments surrounding his removal from the MK Party had affected his wife, who he said had spent almost a month in hospital.
He also used the briefing to reject allegations against him and defend his integrity following his removal from the party’s secretary-general position.
The exchange between Shivambu and Nomvalo has added another layer to the public fallout surrounding the former MK Party secretary-general’s departure.
