Drama in MK Party: Ndhlela fired by Zuma’s party leadership

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The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) announced the immediate suspension of its spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, on Tuesday evening.

The party said this action taken by President Jacob Zuma is pending the results of an internal investigation concerning Ndhlela’s conduct.

According to the statement, the party addressed a media briefing issued by the MK Institute on Sunday.

That briefing made several unauthorized pronouncements regarding the leadership architecture of the MK Party, including purported changes to its current constitutional leadership dispensation.

Specifically, the MK Institute’s announcement implied that the institute would assume full responsibility for the political management and administration of the organisation.

“The media statement also made reference to the role of various national officials and purported the MK Institute to be having powers to change the role of national officials.

Overall, the MK Institute has suggested that all leadership structures of the party are now being subjected to and report to the Institute,” the MK Party statement noted.

According to the party, the suspension reflects its commitment to maintaining internal integrity while investigating the issues at hand.

MKP’s head of communications and media, Sipho Tyira, announced that the recent decision was prompted by serious allegations of misconduct.

“These actions have reportedly led to division within the organization and have tarnished the party’s reputation.

Full inventory recall from Ndhlela

“Ndhlela has been instructed to immediately return and surrender all party property, materials, account details, passwords, access credentials, documents, devices, and any other information or resources belonging to or associated with the uMkhonto weSizwe Party.

“The party further confirms that correspondence has been forwarded to the chief whip, Mmabatho Mokoena Zondi, formally apprising her office of the suspension,” he remarked.

Tyira stated that the suspension shall remain in effect until the investigation has been concluded and a final determination has been made.

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He added, “As the MK Party, we remain committed to organizational discipline, unity, accountability, and the protection of the integrity of the movement.”

Meanwhile, Ndhlela, who has been removed as both the national and parliamentary spokesperson for MKP, is succeeded by Sifiso Mahlangu, a seasoned former journalist.

Ndhlela expressed his congratulations to his successor via social media.

Congratulations and welcome to you my Brother, you were there from the beginning in 2023, and as per our call last night we reflected on the role you played when MK PARTY was announced. There couldn’t have been a better person to take over this responsibility than you.✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/MNyQzQBy0U

— Nhlamulo Swabihi Ndhlela Ntukulu Wa Ka Moyane (@NhlamuloNdhlela) May 19, 2026

“Congratulations and welcome to you, my brother. You were there from the beginning in 2023, and as per our call last night, we reflected on the role you played when MK PARTY was announced.

“There couldn’t have been a better person to take over this responsibility than you,” he wrote.

Zuma’s daughter, Dudu Sambudla, offered words of encouragement to Ndhlela after he was dismissed from his position.

14th Dec 2023, The Call That Changed Your Destiny @NhlamuloNdhlela :

“Darling, What Are You Doing 16 Dec, I Need Your Good English To MC And To Hold Down A Program For Dad, Keep It Low, I’ll Give You Detail When You Get To My House Tomorrow For Final Planning”

The Rest Is… pic.twitter.com/PERQk38ZZV

— Dudu “Grenade” Zuma-Sambudla (@DZumaSambudla) May 19, 2026