In an unsurprising move that will likely shake up South Africa’s political landscape, the Umkhonto we’Sizwe (MK) party, the official opposition to the Government of National Unity, is reportedly planning to induct several controversial figures into parliament, including former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe, former Prasa CEO Lucky Montana, and former Transnet CEO Siyabonga Gama, all of whom have faced fraud and corruption charges related to the state-owned companies they once led.
Adding to the controversy is the inclusion of people believed to be close to MK leadership. According to a draft list seen by Daily Maverick and tabled in parliament, the new members could include relatives of the party’s floor whip, Sihle Ngubane, as well as relatives of party leader Jacob Zuma. These connections have fuelled accusations of nepotism and exacerbated tensions within the party.
Daily Maverick has also learned that Tom Moyane, a former head of the South African Revenue Service and prospective MP, has decided to withdraw from the race and will instead pursue other interests, including party activism.
The proposed changes were outlined in a letter dated July 5, in which Ngubane informed Parliament Speaker Thoko Didiza of the proposed removal of certain MPs and their replacements. The MK party made headlines after it suddenly removed more than a dozen MPs, ostensibly to make way for figures like Molefe, infuriating many within the party.
read more: Zuma’s MK party expels 15 MPs in radical cabinet reshuffle amid allegations of nepotism
Parliament confirmed that it had received a letter from the MK Party informing the Speaker of its decision to expel 15 of its elected members from the National Assembly (NA). According to the Constitution, a person who is no longer a member of a political party that has nominated him or her to Parliament loses his or her membership in the NA.
“At the same time, the Speaker received email correspondence from individuals on the party’s reserve list indicating that they were unable to fill the parliamentary vacancies,” the parliament statement read.
“The emails were submitted through the parliamentary whistleblowers. The Speaker is currently reviewing these communications and a decision will be taken in due course,” the statement said.
The sudden and sweeping purge has raised allegations of cronyism and an internal power struggle, with disgruntled members accusing Ngubane and Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Sambudla Zuma, of orchestrating the ouster to strengthen their own influence within the party. Sambudla Zuma denies any involvement in the affair.
There are also allegations that party leader Jacob Zuma was unaware of the changes. “I met with the president after the inauguration and he was happy. He didn’t tell me anything about these new changes,” said one MP who lost his seat.
Daily Maverick reached out to President Zuma for comment but was directed to comment by the party’s spokesperson, Mzwanele Manyi, a spokesperson for the Jacob Zuma Foundation, who is an EFF member.
Speaking on behalf of the MK party, MP Nhlamulo Ndera defended the decision to replace the MPs, saying the affected MPs were aware of their impending removal and were advised not to go ahead with the swearing-in ceremony. “Furthermore, MPs were advised not to attend the swearing-in ceremony and to proceed with the understanding that they would be replaced at a later stage if they wished, pending the completion of parliamentary procedures,” he said.
Ndela also alleged that the MK party’s IEC list had been compromised by obstructionists who added friends, family and neighbours to the list. He claimed that Zuma was added to the list prematurely and that the plan was to add him later, as was the case with former judge John Hlophe. A court case over the list has reportedly been opened at Sandton police station.
“The Chief Whip’s letter to Parliament was leaked and further leaked on social media by the sacked MPs. These indiscipline and misconduct led to false and misleading reports,” Ndela added.
The MK Party has yet to finalize its party constitution and is led by an interim leadership. DM
