ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST
Zuma Fires 9th MKP SG In Two Years
By CHRIS MAKHAYE
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party has fired its Secretary-General Sibonelo Nomvalo by presidential decree, just 12 days before South Africa's local government elections.
Nomvalo, who was plucked from the National Assembly where he served as an MP on Parliament's ad hoc committee probing allegations by KZN police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, was "relieved of his duties as Secretary-General" with immediate effect.
The announcement was made in a statement issued under the letterhead of the Office of the President on the evening of Thursday, Oct. 22. The local government elections are scheduled for Nov. 4 — 12 days later.
The firing comes as the MKP has been plagued by accusations of corruption and tampering with the nomination process ahead of the LGE. Party members in Durban and in the Free State have protested outside party offices, claiming names submitted through community meetings were removed from final lists submitted to the IEC and replaced with other names.
Manipulations
Party leader Jacob Zuma has himself ordered a probe into the alleged manipulation, removed eThekwini mayoral candidate Zandile Hlophe-Mkhwanazi 12 days after she was unveiled and replaced her with national chairperson Apostle Mxolisi Phakathi, disbanded the Presidential Task Team, and removed both his representatives from the National Party Liaison Committee.
The fallout forced First Deputy President Duduzane Zuma to address unhappy members in the KZN Midlands last week. Speaking to MK Party supporters in Howick's Mpophomeni township on Sunday, Duduzane told members not to challenge his father.
"We don't challenge his authority, we don't question his decision, we implement," Duduzane said. "Because his collective wisdom is far greater than all of us put together. Give him the chance to direct. We are the actors; let us be directed."
According to the party's constitution, Zuma as president has the prerogative to hire and fire leaders at will.
Reasons
The full statement firing Nomvalo listed six reasons:
"The statement issued under the letterhead of 'Office of the President' listed the following reasons for Nomvalo's removal: concerns relating to the councillor selection process, internal factionalism, matters concerning dual remuneration, delays in campaign materials, changes within the parliamentary caucus and parliamentary administration that were reportedly not communicated to the President, National Officials and the Presidency Collective, the establishment of high-level deployment committees without the knowledge of the relevant Party leadership structures."
The party said: "These matters have raised concerns regarding organisational coordination, internal communication, accountability and adherence to established party procedures." It acknowledged Nomvalo's contribution, wished him well, and asked him to cooperate for a smooth handover.
New Broom
Lindiwe Mtshali has been appointed Acting Secretary-General, working with national chairperson Mxolisi Phakathi. National spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu takes on additional duties as Deputy Secretary-General.
Nomvalo is the eighth — by some counts ninth — secretary-general since MKP's inception on Dec. 16, 2023. They are: Thanduxolo Dyodo, Sfiso Maseko, Arthur Zwane, Sihle Ngubane, Floyd Shivambu, Bongani Mncwango, Sibonelo Nomvalo, plus Mashudu Tshivhase. Mncwango lasted about seven months. Shivambu was removed after an unauthorised trip to Malawi. Nomvalo had been appointed in March 2026 to replace Mncwango and had only seven months in the job himself. He was known for expelling Zuma's daughter Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and former spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela in June.
Hospital decision?
Whether Zuma took the decision from his hospital bed remains unclear. The 84-year-old was admitted to Netcare St Anne's Hospital in Pietermaritzburg on Oct. 6 after falling ill during an MKP campaign in Msinga and spent 11 days under medical supervision for fatigue, according to the party. He was discharged on Oct. 17. The party said on Saturday he was "healthy and jovial" and back to work on party matters ahead of the Nov. 4 polls. The statement firing Nomvalo made no mention of Zuma's physical presence, only that it was from the Office of the President.
Local government elections are scheduled for Nov. 4 and, according to polls, the MKP is leading in some municipalities in KZN, including the coveted eThekwini Municipality.
Zakhele Ndlovu, an independent political analyst and senior politics lecturer at University of KwaZulu-Natal, said the Nongalo's firing sends a message of party instability ahead of the local government polls. "It was clear from the begining that the MKP was made of people who were the faction of the ANC that adored Zuma. Even now one can define this firing as the result of factionalism within the MKP. The problem of the MKP is that it is the party that revolves around Zuma and now he is an old man and relies on others to run the party on his behalf and these people are fighting amongst themselves.
"But it was a big mistake for Zuma to fire Nongalo just days before the local government elections......... it sends a wrong message to the voters. I think he could have waited until the elections are over and then take his actions" Ndlovu said.
TQ
SIDEBAR
WHY EACH MKP SG WAS FIRED — THE FULL REVOLVING DOOR
Average tenure: 3.7 months. 9 SGs in 34 months since Dec. 16, 2023.
1. Thanduxolo Dyodo – Dec 2023 – Feb 2024
Reason
Founding administrative clean-up. Party said it needed a "stronger centre" after its explosive launch. No public reason given, but prelude was chaos after December launch and registration battles with Jabulani Khumalo faction.Fired by:Zuma decree.
2. Mashudu Tshivhase – Feb 2024 – Feb 2024 (2 weeks, acting)
Reason
Stop-gap appointment. Party insiders said she was never meant to be substantive. Removed to make way for former health boss.
Prelude
Disputes over IEC candidate lists for May 2024 general elections.
3. Sifiso Maseko – Feb 2024 – April 2024
Reason
"Failure to manage organisational integrity." Prelude was allegations of parallel lists and gatekeeping during the rush to finalise 2024 general election parliamentary lists. Zuma wanted direct control.Fired by: the Office of the President.
4. Arthur Zwane – April 2024 – May 2024
Reason
One of the shortest tenures. No formal reason ever published. Party sources at the time said he was accused of centralising power and poor handling of provincial structures ahead of May 29 elections
Prelude
Post-election euphoria — MKP became official opposition with 58 seats — followed by immediate internal fallout over who controls Parliament.
5. Sihle Ngubane – May 2024 – June 2024 (and again briefly as acting)
Reason
Removed first as SG, then as Chief Whip in August 2024. Officially "organisational coordination failures."
Prelude
Clashed with Zuma over appointment of whips and MPs. He had previously appointed himself. Reappointed as whip on Oct. 12, 2026 — his return to the same role he was fired from.
6. Floyd Shivambu – June 2024 / Nov 2024 substantive – July 2025
Reason
Officially, unsanctioned visit to fugitive Pastor Shepherd Bushiri in Malawi over Easter 2025. Party said it was "a blatant act of disrespect" and done without mandate.
Full prelude
Much deeper. Shivambu joined from EFF in August 2024, was immediately made National Organiser, then SG. Accused of centralising financial control, seeking sole authority over party funds, giving senior positions to newcomers while overlooking founders, and refusing to apologise for Bushiri visit. In interview said: "One thing I will never apologise for is when I went to see Prophet Shepherd Bushiri." Zuma, in thinly veiled attack at Youth League launch, said party fires people after "bad things" it does not want to reveal in public. Expelled completely on July 15, 2025.
Average
Longest serving — 13 months — but still fired.
7. Bongani Mncwango – August 2025 – March 11, 2026
Reason
Officially no reason given. Mncwango later told media he was never given a reason.
Prelude
Former Sanlam executive and former IFP MP, brought in to stabilise after Shivambu. Lasted seven months. Complained of dual centres of power and interference from Presidential Task Team. After firing, he joined IFP. Party needed a legal brain ahead of 2026 LGE.
8. Sibonelo Nomvalo – March 12, 2026 – October 22, 2026
Reason
Most detailed firing statement yet. Six counts: (1) councillor selection process manipulation, (2) internal factionalism, (3) dual remuneration, (4) delays in campaign materials, (5) changes in parliamentary caucus and administration not communicated to Zuma and Presidency Collective, (6) establishment of high-level deployment committees without knowledge of leadership. Party said these "raised concerns regarding organisational coordination, internal communication, accountability and adherence to established party procedures."
Prelude
Perfect storm. In June, Nomvalo expelled Zuma's daughter Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and ex-spokesman Nhlamulo Ndhlela, claiming they acted against party values. Ndhlela hit back saying MKP "never had a capable SG." On June 8, Nomvalo wrote to Deputy President Tony Yengeni accusing KZN leader Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza of campaigning for his removal and claiming he was controlled by rival party. On Aug. 4, Zuma dissolved Strategic Presidential Team and lifted moratorium on finances. In September, members protested outside Durban offices alleging councillor lists submitted to IEC were manipulated — names replaced, wards left uncontested. Zuma ordered probe, removed eThekwini mayoral candidate Zandile Hlophe-Mkhwanazi after 12 days, replaced her with Mxolisi Phakathi. Two weeks before election, axe fell.
Plucked from: National Assembly MP — former ANCYL KZN leader turned lawyer, serving on ad hoc committee investigating Mkhwanazi allegations.
9. Lindiwe Mtshali – Oct. 22, 2026 – present (Acting)
Appointed Acting SG to work with National Chair Phakathi. Former Deputy SG. National spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu now shares Deputy SG duties. Tasked to hold party together for 12 days until Nov. 4 local government elections. TQ
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