MK Party’s Internal Feud Moves to the Courts After Public Expulsions
In late June 2024, the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party found itself defending its disciplinary procedures in the Johannesburg High Court. The legal action was launched by Duduzile Zuma‑Sambudla, daughter of former President Jacob Zuma, and former party spokesman Nhlamulo Ndhlela, who allege that the party expelled them through a press conference before any formal disciplinary hearing could take place.
What the court papers allege
The founding affidavit, filed on 25 June 2024, states that on 18 June 2024 the party’s Secretary‑General, Sibonelo Nomvalo, announced during a Sandton press briefing that both Zuma‑Sambudisi‑Zuma‑Sambudla and Ndhlela had been “expelled with immediate effect” and stripped of all membership rights. According to the applicants, this announcement was made:
- Without prior written notice of the allegations against them;
- Without granting them an opportunity to make written submissions;
- Without convening a disciplinary hearing as required by the party’s constitution.
Zuma‑Sambudla’s affidavit explicitly notes that “no formal notice of disciplinary allegations was served on me… no disciplinary hearing was convened. The national disciplinary committee made no findings.”
Background to the dispute
The conflict traces back to a media briefing on 16 May 2024, when Ndhlela reportedly announced the dissolution of the MK Party’s national high command and proposed the creation of an “MK Party Institute.” Party officials viewed the move as an attempt to establish parallel power structures, a direct violation of constitutional provisions that prohibit members from undermining organisational unity.
Following the briefing, Nomvalo issued a suspension letter to Ndhlela on 25 May 2024, stating that he would be allowed to submit written statements before a hearing could be scheduled. However, the applicants contend that the process stalled after the suspension and that the party leadership opted for a public expulsion instead of completing the prescribed internal procedure.
Constitutional requirements at stake
The MK Party’s constitution outlines a clear, step‑by‑step process for disciplining non‑probationary members:
- Formal notice of alleged misconduct;
- Opportunity to submit a written response;
- Convening of a disciplinary hearing;
- Findings by the national disciplinary committee;
- Decision on appropriate sanction, which may include expulsion.
Both Zuma‑Sambudla and Ndhlela argue that the party bypassed every step except the final public announcement, thereby violating its own governing documents.
Implications beyond the party
Ndhlela’s affidavit highlights that his parliamentary seat is contingent on his MK Party membership. An expulsion could therefore jeopardise his position in the National Assembly, adding a national‑political dimension to the internal feud. Zuma‑Sambudla, a founding member and the daughter of the party’s president, also stresses that the expulsions prevent them from participating in upcoming leadership elections and candidate selections—processes that are critical as the party prepares for future electoral contests.
Why this matters for the MK Party
Founded in late 2022, the MK Party has positioned itself as a new political force centred around the legacy of Jacob Zuma. The current legal challenge exposes:
- Potential weaknesses in the party’s internal governance mechanisms;
- Growing factional tensions between those aligned with the Zuma family and other senior officials;
- The risk that public expulsions, if deemed unlawful, could trigger further legal actions and damage the party’s credibility among voters and observers.
Legal experts consulted by TimesLIVE note that courts tend to scrutinise whether political organisations adhere to their own constitutions when meting out sanctions, especially when those sanctions affect public office holders.
What the applicants are seeking
The court application requests:
- An order reviewing and setting aside the expulsions of Duduzile Zuma‑Sambudla and Nhlamulo Ndhlela;
- Reinstatement of their full membership rights, including eligibility to hold party office and participate in internal decision‑making;
- A directive that the MK Party comply with its constitutional disciplinary procedures before any future sanctions are imposed.
If granted, the ruling would not only restore the applicants’ standing within the party but also reinforce the principle that internal disciplinary processes must be respected, even in highly charged political environments.
Looking ahead
As the case proceeds, political analysts will be watching closely to see how the MK Party navigates the tension between maintaining organisational discipline and upholding procedural fairness. The outcome could shape the party’s internal culture for years to come and influence its prospects in forthcoming elections.
Source: TimesLIVE report, 25 June 2024; court filings accessed via the Johannesburg High Court registry.
