Another MK Party reshuffle sees Makhubele axed, Brian Molefe named treasurer, political analysts weigh in

The revolving leadership door in the Umkhonto Wesizwe Party (MKP) is an indication that the party is not ready to govern at any level.

That is the view expressed by political experts who warned that the party's actions do not bode well for voters' confidence in its ambition to take over the government in KwaZulu-Natal. The party is the biggest in the province in terms of electoral support.

The MKP effected yet another leadership change at the national level. On Monday, the party announced another leadership shake-up, with Chief Whip Colleen Makhubele being removed from the position, while Brian Molefe was announced as treasurer.

In KwaZulu-Natal, where the party is seeking to take over the government, it has faced internal leadership challenges, having changed the role of Chief Whip at least three times since the beginning of this legislative term. The third and current Chief Whip, Bonginkosi Mngadi, is facing public calls to be removed. The convener, Willies Mchunu, has also faced attempts to push him out of his position.

Professor Musa Xulu said the developments are a cause for concern for residents of KZN. He said the goings-on in the party demonstrate the extent to which the internal workings of the MKP are catastrophic for good governance. “The MKP is not ready to govern at any level of government in South Africa, based on their inability to govern themselves.”

Professor Sipho Seepe said the MKP is projecting an image of instability to the public.

“It is very unfortunate that this happens in an election year, and the frequency of these changes does not project an image of an organisation that has stability. The optics do not look good. When you are a political party that wants votes, you have to be concerned about how you come across. The party needs to start to get into the notion of stability, a party that you can rely on. Some people argue that this organisation is growing but would be undermined by its leadership.”

He said the party has skilled people who are seasoned administrators and should have taken advantage of them. “It is time to say they must suspend the squabbles around leadership. We know what happened to COPE; a mere confrontation around leadership and the party collapsed. The MKP runs the risk of becoming too preoccupied with internal party positions.”

Political analyst Thabani Khumalo said the MKP is projecting an image of being unreliable, unstable, and chaotic. He said the MKP is failing to recognise and take advantage of the reasons why they were voted for in the first place.

“The people voted for the MKP not because of its policies or agenda, but because they were angry at the parties that had been leading the government. The people voted for the MKP when it had no constitution, no leadership, and no governance structure in place, and the MKP has chosen to continue in that chaotic vein instead of taking advantage of the fact that the people are angry at the current parties. But I fear that the people will continue to vote for it, not because they believe in it but because they want to see the back of the parties currently in government,” he said.

MKP spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndlela defended the changes in the party and said, “In the MK Party, there are no permanent positions; we are all volunteers serving the people. Taking decisions to stabilise the fastest-growing political party in the country cannot be viewed as instability; such views are political opportunism.

“We are led by the pulse of the nation, and not by narrow individualistic agendas of people who are preoccupied with positions. Our role as the MKP is to facilitate a platform whereby the masses and the poorest people govern their country, and not the other way around. Conferences are bought, and we are not going to have any conference anytime soon. The will of the people must govern this country,” he said.

THE MERCURY