MK Party axes secretary general 13 days before polls
JOHANNESBURG — Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe Party has removed secretary general Sibonelo Nomvalo less than two weeks before the municipal elections, citing factionalism, councillor selection concerns and alleged decisions taken without senior leadership’s knowledge.
The party announced the change on Thursday, 22 October, with immediate effect. Deputy secretary general Lindiwe Mtshali will take over in an acting capacity as the organisation prepares for the 4 November vote.
According to the party’s statement, concerns included delays in campaign materials, matters involving dual remuneration and changes within its parliamentary caucus and administration that were reportedly not communicated to Zuma, national officials or the presidency collective.
The party also alleged that high level deployment committees had been established without the knowledge of the relevant leadership structures. It said these matters raised concerns about coordination, accountability, internal communication and compliance with organisational procedures.
Nomvalo was appointed in March, giving him approximately seven months in the position. His removal brings another change to an office that has seen repeated leadership turnover since the party’s establishment in 2023. Despite losing the secretary general position, he remains an MK Party member of the National Assembly, according to eNCA.
Mtshali will work with national chairperson Mxolisi Phakathi to maintain the party’s administration. National spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu will retain his communications role while taking on additional responsibilities associated with the deputy secretary general’s office, sharing those functions with Mtshali.
The party described the interim arrangements as intended to maintain continuity and strengthen the implementation of decisions by its authorised leadership structures.
The timing places the handover during the final stretch of campaigning, with the party’s own concerns extending to candidate selection and the delivery of campaign materials. Its statement requested Nomvalo’s cooperation with an orderly transfer of responsibilities and called on members to avoid further divisions.
“The party comes first. Unity, discipline and accountability remain our collective responsibility,” it said.
The concerns remain the party leadership’s stated reasons for the removal. The reports reviewed did not include a response from Nomvalo addressing the allegations.
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