The uMkhonto weSizwe Party clarified Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla is an ordinary member with no leadership role, amid ongoing internal tensions and renewed emphasis on discipline, authority and official communication structures.
Image: Tumi Pakkies / Indepedent Media
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) has moved to clarify internal leadership structures and discipline, stating that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla is an “ordinary member” of the organisation and does not hold any elected or appointed national leadership position.
This comes against the backdrop of recent internal tensions that have exposed divisions within the party, including the fallout linked to the removal of former spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela and the suspension of his membership.
At the centre of the earlier dispute was an alleged statement suggesting that President Jacob Zuma and the party’s national command structure had been disbanded and replaced by a new structure called the MKP Institute.
The party later dismissed the statement, with secretary-general Sibonelo Nomvalo announcing its nullification during a media briefing held in the presence of senior leadership.
Nomvalo also confirmed at the time that Ndhlela had been removed from his role as Member of Parliament and national spokesperson, and that his membership had been suspended pending an investigation into alleged misconduct.
He said the decision followed accusations that Ndhlela had been “sowing division and putting the party into disrepute.”
The developments triggered a public backlash from Zuma-Sambudla, who openly defended Ndhlela on social media platform X, describing him as a “sacrificial lamb.”
In her posts, she appeared to align herself with Ndhlela, suggesting that he had played a key role in the formation and early mobilisation of the party.
In one of her posts, she wrote: “They will never erase you as they were not even here when we defeated all the charlatans, including Jabulani Khumalo,” adding that there would be “no MKP of President Zuma standing today without you by my side.”
Against this backdrop, the party’s national officials meeting on Thursday sought to reassert discipline and clarify authority within the organisation.
Nomvalo said the meeting emphasised that official positions “are determined and communicated through authorised party structures and designated officials.”
He added that the party expects members and supporters to distinguish between personal views expressed by individuals and official organisational positions.
“Official positions of the party are determined and communicated through authorised party structures and designated officials,” Nomvalo said.
The meeting further clarified that Zuma-Sambudla holds no leadership role in the national structures of the party, whether elected or appointed, and remains an ordinary member.
Nomvalo also stressed that all members are bound by the party’s constitution and code of conduct “no matter what position they hold in the organisation,” adding that internal discipline and adherence to protocol remain central to the organisation’s functioning
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