Can the MK Party keep it together for longer than a month? The new Parliament kids are again tearing each other apart, with new rival factions openly clashing.
On one side: party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela and Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of party leader Jacob Zuma. On the other: deputy president John Hlophe and chief whip Colleen Makhubele.
This week, Hlophe dropped a bombshell: he “fired” Ndhlela from the parliamentary whippery – essentially the team that enforces party discipline. The reason? Alleged misconduct, arrogance, and undermining party unity. Hlophe even wrote to Zuma complaining about Duduzile’s “chaotic” behaviour in meetings. He should be careful: The last person to clash with Dudu, Floyd Shivambu, was shown the door pretty quickly.
Meanwhile, Ndhlela isn’t going quietly. He claims he never saw the removal letter, and that Hlophe himself told him his signature was being “abused”. Cue: more confusion and political drama.
It’s a messy twist, considering all three – Duduzile, Ndhlela, and Hlophe – were once allies in booting out former secretary-general Floyd Shivambu. Barely a few weeks later, the alliance has shattered.
All this tops months of drama for the party, which made a strong election showing in their first election last year. But instead of building momentum, it’s descending into infighting, with public spats that raise questions about leadership and unity. Zuma has yet to respond publicly, but given his way of doing things, we’ll know whose side he’s on when the MK’s ever-present axe falls on its next victim.
