Illustrative image: An uMkhonto Wesizwe supporter. (Photo: Gallo Images / Fani Mahuntsi) | MK logo on the shoulder of a party supporter. (Photo: Gallo Images / Darren Stewart) 
Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party has sparked controversy by firing and replacing 15 Members of Parliament (MPs) just weeks after their late swearing-in on 25 July.
The sudden and drastic purge has left many within the party fuming, with accusations of cronyism and internal power struggles coming to the fore.
Daily Maverick has seen copies of letters from National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza addressed to several of the ousted MPs.
In these letters, Didiza informs the members that she has received correspondence from the MK party’s chief whip, Sihle Ngubane, indicating that their party membership has been terminated, thereby disqualifying them from serving in Parliament.
An MK party insider alleged that Ngubane, along with Zuma’s daughter Duduzile Sambudla-Zuma, orchestrated the removal of the MPs.
“They will destroy the party because they want their friends and relatives to occupy parliamentary seats,” said the member, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the issue.
The insider further claimed that Jacob Zuma was unaware of the ongoing purge, suggesting a disconnect between the party’s leadership and its internal machinations.
This internal turmoil follows a pattern of instability within the MK party. At the beginning of July, then secretary-general Arthur Zwane was removed from office by Zuma, only to be recalled and fired again recently.
Zwane had reportedly gained significant popularity among MK party supporters, a development that allegedly did not sit well with those in Zuma’s inner circle, including Sambudla-Zuma.
Read more: Flip flop – MK party has welcomed back its recently fired secretary-general, Arthur Zwane
Sambudla-Zuma has denied any involvement in the purging of party members. She has previously said that she is unfairly scrutinised because of her familial ties to the former president.
“There have been certain identified individuals of the ANC that have tried and continue to infiltrate MK party to usurp power for themselves in a plan to take over the party through strategically deployed agents, and in so doing attempt to discredit me,” she said.
The MK party, which has been struggling to solidify its presence in South African politics, is no stranger to internal conflict. Formed by Zuma in 2023 after a fractious split from the ANC, the party has positioned itself as a defender of the values and principles of the armed wing of the ANC, uMkhonto weSizwe (MK).
However, its short history has been marred by factionalism, with Zuma’s leadership often questioned by critics and supporters alike.
The party’s parliamentary spokesperson, Sipho Tyira, has remained tight-lipped about the details surrounding the removal of the MPs, but promised that a full statement would be released before Thursday evening, 8 August.
“We understand there is concern and speculation about what has transpired, and we will address this in our forthcoming statement,” Tyira told Daily Maverick.
Parliament has confirmed that it has received correspondence from the MK party “advising the Speaker of the National Assembly of its decision to remove 15 of its public representatives from the National Assembly. According to the Constitution, a person loses membership of the National Assembly if they cease to be a member of the party that nominated them to the Assembly.”
“Simultaneously, the Speaker has received email correspondence of persons on the party's reserve list indicating their unavailability to fill any vacancies in the National Assembly. The emails were submitted through the party’s chief whip in Parliament. The Speaker is currently considering these correspondences, and a decision will be made in due course.” DM