Deputy President of the EFF, Floyd Shivambu, has dispelled as lies the rumours that have been circulating on social media alleging that he intends to leave the EFF and join Jimmy Manyi in a new political party.

In a tweet that was quickly retweeted by Julius Malema, Shivambu says he will “never leave EFF to join spaza shops” in an apparent snide at Manyi’s plans to form a new party.

Attempts to speak to Shivambu were unsuccessful as his phone repeatedly went into voicemail.