Mayibuye hit by another senior resignation as third deputy president walks away.
The Afrika Mayibuye Movement (AMM) has suffered another blow after its Third Deputy President, Sphephile Mahlaba, resigned from the party with immediate effect on 19 June, adding to a growing list of senior leaders who have parted ways with the fledgling political organisation.
A source close to the matter told this publication that Mahlaba formally submitted his resignation on 19 June and has since severed all ties with the party.
“He handed in his resignation with immediate effect. He is no longer happy with the policies of the organisation and the way things are being run,” the source said.
According to the source, Mahlaba is expected to join several former Mayibuye leaders who have already left the movement and are in the process of establishing a new political party.
Mahlaba previously served as the party’s Secretary-General before being elevated to the position of Third Deputy President. The Afrika Mayibuye Movement’s leadership structure is unusual in that it provides for three deputy presidents who assist party president Floyd Shivambu.
The resignation comes at a difficult time for the movement, which was launched by Shivambu in September 2025 after his departure from the MK Party. The party positioned itself as a Pan-Africanist alternative focused on land reform, economic emancipation and social justice, with ambitions of contesting the 2026 local government elections.
Mahlaba is not the first high-profile leader to leave the organisation.
Former deputy president Robert Nwedo resigned from the party in November 2025, saying he intended to build a political movement outside Mayibuye. Party spokesperson Sydney Baloyi confirmed at the time that Nwedo had informed officials of his decision to resign and pursue a new political path.
Before Nwedo’s departure, another deputy president, Dr Nolubabalo Mcinga, was removed from her position over what the party described as organisational and political misconduct.
Her dismissal was before that of Deputy National Organiser Lindsey Spires who was also “thrown out” of the party.
The party has also seen the departure of several other senior officials, including deputy secretaries-general and provincial leaders, amid internal disputes over leadership and organisational direction.
Despite the growing list of resignations, Shivambu has previously maintained that the movement remains stable and that leadership changes are part of strengthening the organisation ahead of elections. He has also accused some former members of attempting to destabilise the party.
Mahlaba’s resignation is expected to fuel further speculation about divisions within the young political movement, particularly as former members prepare to launch what could become another breakaway party ahead of the local government elections.
At the time of publication, the Afrika Mayibuye Movement had not publicly announced Mahlaba’s resignation or named a replacement.
