The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) states that the inquiry into its suspended first deputy president and parliamentary leader, Dr. John Hlophe, has begun and will conclude by the end of next month. Hlophe was placed on precautionary suspension from all MKP positions last month. MKP Presidency Head Magasela Mzobe told SABC News that Hlophe is fully cooperating with the process.
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) expects the inquiry into its suspended first deputy president and parliamentary leader, Dr. John Hlophe, to wrap up by the end of January 2026. Hlophe was placed on precautionary suspension from all MKP positions last month, according to an SABC News report.
In an interview with SABC News, MKP Presidency Head Magasela Mzobe confirmed Hlophe's full cooperation. 'I know I was asked to send a letter to his office, the deputy president who accepted the letter that the inquiry would start. The president was asked for his full cooperation and he did confirm that he would fully cooperate with the situation and the enquiry. I’m sure when we come back into the New Year it should be done by the end of January, I’m quite confident,' Mzobe said.
Mzobe clarified that Hlophe remains a Member of Parliament. 'He (Jacob Zuma) was bombarded with calls about the removal of chief whip and he had to take an immediate decision to calm the situation, not to remove the deputy president entirely from Parliament. He remains a Member of Parliament, he remains the first deputy of MK, suspended, pending the enquiry because the president wanted to satisfy himself, what are the underlying matters that led to that drastic decision,' he added.
Hlophe is still regarded as a party leader while suspended, and Des van Rooyen serves as acting parliamentary leader. Mzobe expressed confidence that party president Jacob Zuma will assign Hlophe a role after reviewing the inquiry.
Separately, MKP and the African Transformation Party (ATM) plan to contest next year's local government elections under a single banner. Mzobe said the final details will be announced in early January during the campaign launch. 'We’ve agreed, the final position will be told to the public early January as we launch the election campaign, but what I can tell members of uMkhonto weSizwe and ATM is that, we will go to the ballot as one organisation,' he stated.
