Jacob Zuma and national officials invalidate a bid by the MK Institute to take control of party administration.
The national officials of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party invalidated a weekend declaration by the MK Institute that sought to overhaul the party’s leadership structure and take over administrative control.
Following a meeting on Monday led by party president Jacob Zuma, the leadership issued a statement declaring the Institute’s May 16 pronouncements null and void. The party leadership stated that the MK Institute lacked the constitutional authority to change the roles of national officials or subject party structures to its oversight.
According to the statement, although Zuma and other officials were present when the MK Institute read its initial statement on Saturday, they were not aware of the specific propositions regarding the party’s “leadership architecture” until the document was made public. The party has now resolved to integrate the Institute into its policy-making machinery under the direct report of the Secretary General.
In a separate organizational change, the MK Party announced the immediate appointment of Sifiso Mahlangu as the new national spokesperson. Mahlangu, described by the party as a former news editor and academic, replaces Nhlamulo Ndlela.
Ndlela, who served as the party’s inaugural spokesperson, has stepped down from his roles in both the party and parliament with immediate effect. The party did not provide a specific reason for Ndlela’s departure, other than to state he “held the fort” during the organization’s initial phase.
The leadership transition and the internal dispute over administrative control come as the party continues to formalize its internal governance following its performance in the recent electoral cycle.
