Hope Ntanzi|Published
MK Party president Jacob Zuma has ordered the removal of Sibonelo Nomvalo from the party’s National Assembly caucus and instructed parliamentary leader John Hlophe to reverse changes to the parliamentary whippery, in a separate directive issued on the same day Nomvalo was removed as secretary-general.
In a letter to Hlophe dated October 22, Zuma ordered the restoration of the whippery’s composition and arrangements as they stood before changes made the previous week.
The restructuring, announced on October 13, placed party deployments, assignments and constituency responsibilities under the Office of the Chief Whip.
It also saw Adil Nchabeleng removed as Constituency Whip, David Skosana and Pinky Mngadi removed as Elections Whips, and the Extended Whippery dissolved.
Zuma instructed Hlophe to ensure that the previous arrangements were restored through the appropriate parliamentary and party procedures.
“I wish to emphasise that you remain the Party Leader in Parliament, and I expect your leadership authority to be respected in the coordination of our parliamentary affairs,” Zuma wrote.
He said changes affecting the party’s parliamentary leadership had to be handled through the appropriate channels, with proper consultation and communication with the relevant national leadership structures.
“You have my full support and confidence in carrying out your responsibilities,” he added.
Nomvalo’s removal as secretary-general
In a separate letter, Zuma informed Nomvalo that his removal as secretary-general took effect immediately and that he was also being removed from the party’s National Assembly caucus.
The president cited concerns about the councillor selection process, the creation of high-level deployment committees without the knowledge of the president, national officials and presidency collective, delays in campaign materials, changes to parliamentary whippery arrangements that had not been communicated to the leadership, internal factionalism and possible dual remuneration at the National Assembly and the party.
“Accordingly, you are also removed as a member of the uMkhonto WeSizwe caucus in the National Assembly,” Zuma wrote.
He asked Nomvalo to co-operate in ensuring a smooth handover of his responsibilities, thanked him for his contribution to the party and wished him well.
The decision was announced on Thursday, less than two weeks before the November 4 local government elections.
The party said the concerns raised questions about organisational coordination, internal communication, accountability and adherence to established procedures.
Nomvalo was appointed secretary-general in March, replacing Bongani Mncwango, who was removed after about seven months in the position. Several officials have held the post since the MK Party was formed in December 2023.
The latest leadership change comes amid internal tensions over candidate selection.
In September, party members protested outside the MK Party’s Durban offices, alleging that councillor lists submitted to the Electoral Commission of South Africa had been manipulated and did not reflect candidates selected in their wards.
Following Nomvalo’s removal, deputy secretary-general Lindiwe Mtshali was appointed acting secretary-general, while national spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu was assigned the functions of deputy secretary-general alongside her.
hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za
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