Internal strife threatens MK Party's stability amid leadership conflicts

The MK Party has been rocked by internal fighting, which sowed divisions among party members.

Sources inside the party said there is a major internal fight within the party. 

This comes after a group of MK members of Parliament wrote to party president Jacob Zuma, calling for the removal of Colleen Makhubele, who is the party’s chief whip in Parliament. 

Makhubele has been accused of autocracy and of making decisions without consulting the MK parliamentary caucus.

The developments come as a leaked letter allegedly written by the party's parliament leader, John Hlophe, reveals his dissatisfaction with spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela’s disruptive conduct, which led to his removal from the whippery team, while Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla was reprimanded. 

Ndhlela was also accused of ignoring the party’s decision to remove him and insulting Makhubele, claiming she required “political education” and labelling her a “political novice and newcomer” to the political landscape during a caucus meeting on June 25.

Zuma-Sambudla exacerbated the situation by interrupting proceedings, creating unnecessary chaos, and disregarding repeated cautions to wait her turn. 

Insiders said the fact is that MK Party members are fighting among themselves, adding that Ndhlela and Zuma-Sambudla were the cause of the disorder within the party 

The sources said the two once formed a formidable faction within the party but are now fighting each other.

“They targeted Makhubele because she is uncontrollable, refuses to take their instructions. And she has Hlophe on her side, but now they are fighting each other, like no one’s business,” said the sources, adding that Zuma should intervene before the party collapses. 

The sources added that the party made a mistake in removing Floyd Shivambu as the secretary-general, who had protected it from destruction.

“He was removed based on lies, and look what is happening in the party today. Baba (Zuma) must bring him back (Shivambu) and allow him to take charge of the party. Otherwise, the party will collapse,” said the sources.  

The sources added that the problem is that some of the MK members of Parliament were appointed, not elected. 

They said only Hlophe was elected, while the rest came as a group of friends.

“These positions were given to people who are not supposed to be there.”

However, Ndhlela denied the allegations, saying he was not aware of the party’s internal fighting.

He said this shows that people are frustrated and obsessed with him and Zuma-Sambudla, adding that part of the reason for this was that they have never reacted to many allegations made against them. 

“Clearly, there is a lot of outside influence and people who are no longer in positions want to control those positions,” he said. 

Attempts to get a comment from Makhubele were unsuccessful on Wednesday.

The party is experiencing internal issues related to leadership, discipline, and direction, leading to suspensions and public criticism.

The party that was formed in December 2023 has had seven secretaries-general, while Makhubele is the third chief whip.

Political analyst Zakhele Ndlovu said these inconsistencies strongly suggest that chaos reigns in the MK Party and there is no sense of direction. 

He said there is too much drama and it makes a mockery of “our wobbly democracy”. 

“Lack of stability and certainty undermines confidence in the party. This is going to cost the MKP support in the 2026 local government elections. Makes one wonder what would have happened had the party won an outright majority in KwaZulu-Natal. I would be embarrassed if I had voted for the party,” he said. 

Another political analyst, Ntsikelo Breakfast, noted that the MK Party lacks openness to individuals from outside who were not part of its initial formation.

“This has happened to Floyd, and now it is happening with Makhubele. Some people are pushing back against other people who are new and holding strategic positions,” he said, adding that this would cripple the party and affect its performance in next year’s local government elections.  

Meanwhile, the party has invited members of the media to a briefing on the latest developments and ongoing budget votes tomorrow (Thursday). 

manyane.manyane@inl.co.za