Expelled
Image: Itumeleng English / Ana studio
Expelled Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party member Nhlamulo Ndhlela says the party has never had a secretary-general capable of effectively leading the organisation, arguing that Jacob Zuma should not be blamed for the repeated changes in the position.
Speaking during a media briefing on Sunday alongside expelled MK Party member Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, Ndhlela said the party’s problems stemmed from the individuals who have occupied the secretary-general post.
The briefing came three days after Secretary-General Sibonelo Nomvalo announced the immediate expulsion of Zuma-Sambudla and Ndhlela, saying they had acted in ways that conflicted with the party's values, constitution and organisational interests. The pair said they only became aware of their expulsions through media reports.
When asked about the secretary-general position, Zuma-Sambudla said: "Up to date, we have not had great SG's."
"Up to date, we have not had great SG's," she said.
Expanding on the issue, Ndhlela said: "From day one, this party has never had an SG that's capable of actually leading this organisation. That's a fact, and the president should not be blamed for changing SGs."
He argued that those appointed to the position often became disconnected from the organisation's grassroots structures.
"The problem is that when people occupy the role, the first thing that happens is that they become arrogant. They become celebrities. They now want to come in and just change without consultation. They want to abuse their power," he said.
Ndhlela said the MK Party was founded by activists and claimed that many of the individuals who had served as secretary-general did not come from the party's grassroots structures.
"Umkhonto weSizwe Party was founded by activists. And most of those SGs, by the way, were not on the ground. So they don't understand the party. They've never understood the party," he said.
He claimed this had created resistance among ordinary members.
"That's why you find so much resistance when it comes to members on the ground, because they bring tendencies that are foreign to Umkhonto weSizwe Party."
Ndhlela also criticised the leadership style of current secretary-general Sibonelo Nomvalo, saying the party had become consumed by internal disciplinary matters.
"If you look at what's transpired to date, every single week, ever since he's arrived, statements regarding people being removed, a statement on Mmabatho, now all of a sudden having Dudu. What is that?" he asked.
"Every single week, we're becoming a joke. Every single week, we're calling press conferences. It's time for a teletubbies. Time for teletubbies. That's what we're becoming."
His remarks come amid continued instability in the secretary-general position within the MK Party.
His remarks come against the backdrop of continued instability in the secretary-general position within the MK Party.
Since the party's formation in 2023, at least seven people have occupied the role, with frequent leadership changes becoming a feature of the organisation.
Among those who have served as secretary-general are Thanduxolo Dyodo, Sfiso Maseko, Arthur Zwane, Sihle Ngubane, Floyd Shivambu, and Dr Bongani Mncwango, before Nomvalo's appointment.
Ndhlela further questioned whether it was possible for Nomvalo to effectively run the party while also serving in Parliament.
"There's no ways you can lead a movement such as Umkhonto weSizwe Party and still occupy a seat in Parliament, and still think you're going to fulfil your roles in Parliament and then still in the party. It's not going to work. He has to choose one. Which one is it?" he said.
He argued that leading the party required full-time attention, particularly ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
"Running Umkhonto weSizwe Party is not a celebrity platform like Ad Hoc Committee. This is a movement. We've got looming government elections, like we said, not even one poster."
Ndhlela said there were additional concerns within the organisation but declined to elaborate.
"There's a number of issues that we are also aware of, which we cannot divulge, because again, we are disciplined members of Umkhonto weSizwe Party," he said.
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