Expulsion Controversy in MK Party
Who Are Nhlamulo Ndhlela and Duduzile Zuma‑Sambudla?
Nhlamulo Ndhlela and Duduzile Zuma‑Sambudla are former senior members of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP). Both have been active in the party since its formation and have held leadership roles, especially around election planning and internal discipline.
Why They Say They Were Expelled
At a media briefing on Sunday, the two called their removal from the party “unlawful” and claimed it was part of a broader effort to hijack the organisation. They argue that certain factions inside MKP are trying to sideline the party’s founder, former President Jacob Zuma, for personal and political gain.
Claims About Manipulated Candidate Lists
Ndhlela pointed out that during the 2024 General Elections, the process for compiling the parliamentary candidate list was compromised. He said:
- Names appeared on the list without proper consultation or approval from the party president.
- He, the late Muzi Ntshingila, and Zuma‑Sambudla intervened to stop the manipulation, filing criminal complaints and pushing for corrective measures.
He warned that a similar pattern may be emerging for the upcoming Local Government Elections, with attempts to skew municipal candidate selections to exclude ordinary members and community voices.
The Role of Muzi Ntshingila
Muzi Ntshingila, a party member who later passed away, was central to the duo’s defence. Ndhlela said Ntshingila, together with himself and Zuma‑Sambudla, worked to protect the party’s integrity. After Ntshingila’s death, his partner Ayanda Maseko clarified that she, not Ndhlela or Zuma‑Sambudla, retrieved his belongings from Parliament House and arranged his transfer to the Sandton Medi‑Clinic with his family’s knowledge—countering the party’s claim that the two had acted without family consent.
Legal Steps Planned
Ndhlela announced that he and Zuma‑Sambudla will:
- Request from the Secretary General which constitutional clauses were used to justify their expulsion.
- If unsatisfied with the response, instruct their lawyers to file an urgent application in the High Court to challenge the expulsions as unlawful.
They stress that the MK Party Constitution and Disciplinary Code require a National Disciplinary Committee, an Appeals Committee, and a National Prosecutor to review any suspension or expulsion—steps they claim were bypassed when Secretary‑General Sibonelo Nomvalo issued the expulsion notice.
Party’s Response and Next Steps
As of the briefing, the party’s spokesperson, Sifiso Mahlangu, had not yet replied to the allegations. The situation remains tense, with the expelled members insisting they will fight to restore what they see as the party’s founding vision and internal democracy.
Conclusion
The clash between Nhlamulo Ndhlela, Duduzile Zuma‑Sambudla, and the MK Party leadership highlights deeper struggles over control, transparency, and loyalty within the organisation. Whether the courts will side with the expelled members or uphold the party’s actions remains to be seen, but the debate has already sparked conversations about how political parties should handle internal disputes and protect the voices of their grassroots supporters.
