Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and Nhlamulo Ndhlela have approached the Johannesburg High Court seeking to overturn their expulsions, arguing they were removed without due process.
Image: Itumeleng English
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of MK Party leader Jacob Zuma, and former party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela have filed an urgent application in the Johannesburg High Court challenging their expulsion from the MK Party.
The pair lodged court papers on Thursday, seeking to have their expulsions reviewed and set aside.
The application follows a recent announcement by MK Party secretary-general Sibonelo Nomvalo that the two had been expelled with immediate effect for allegedly acting in ways that conflicted with the party’s constitution, values and organisational interests.
The party also accused them of unauthorised activities linked to the death of MP Muzi Ntshingila.
Ndhlela was additionally removed as party spokesperson for allegedly holding an unauthorised media briefing.
In their court papers, seen by IOL News, the applicants argue that they were expelled without due process.
They said they were not given notice of charges or a disciplinary hearing, and only learned of the decision through a media briefing on June 18.
“The applicants were not served with any formal charges… and were not given any opportunity whatsoever to be heard,” the papers state.
Ndhlela said the MK Party constitution sets out a mandatory disciplinary process that was not followed, rendering the expulsions unlawful.
He added that the matter is urgent as he remains a sitting Member of the National Assembly and could lose his seat if the expulsion stands.
“The loss of a parliamentary seat cannot adequately be compensated in damages,” he said.
He argued that the removal process could be triggered at any time if the party informs Parliament, making court intervention necessary to prevent irreversible harm.
Meanwhile, Zuma-Sambudla also denied wrongdoing and said she was never formally notified of disciplinary charges linked to her expulsion.
“No disciplinary hearing was convened,” she said.
She added that she first learned of her removal through media reports.
She disputed allegations relating to Ntshingila, saying she acted at his personal request during his illness and rejected claims of misconduct.
She further alleged that the expulsions were politically motivated and carried out to remove internal opponents within the party’s structures.
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