Eighteen months after winning 58 seats in Parliament, Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto Wesizwe party is plagued by factional battles, financial woes, and allegations of misconduct. Recent events include charges against Zuma's daughter and a diplomatic row over South Africans recruited into the Russia-Ukraine war. The party's leadership turmoil highlights its ongoing instability since its 2023 launch.
Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party, which became South Africa's official opposition with 58 parliamentary seats in 2024, is now mired in debt and internal strife. Treasurer-general Mpiyakhe Limba confirmed an R28-million debt in August, attributing it to mismanagement under former secretary-general Floyd Shivambu, who left the party in June 2024 after joining briefly in November 2023. MPs have demanded a forensic probe into allegedly missing millions from parliamentary funds, with claims that R70-million intended for constituency offices was diverted to travel and accommodation. Shivambu previously alleged R7-million was looted monthly from party coffers.
Factional warfare has intensified. Chief whip Colleen Makhubela accused former deputy president John Hlophe of harassment and intimidation in a 39-page complaint to the party's disciplinary committee last month. Hlophe had removed her from her position and appointed Des van Rooyen while Zuma was visiting Burkina Faso's leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré in late October. Upon return, Zuma reinstated Makhubela and suspended Hlophe, who then requested termination of his membership. The dispute stemmed from a whippery meeting in September over Makhubela's alleged push for an R1.8-million contract to a company linked to her husband. Hlophe also clashed with Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, suspending spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela for divisive behavior.
Adding to the turmoil, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla faced terrorism and incitement charges in Durban High Court on 10 November over 2021 social media posts linked to unrest that killed 350 people and caused billions in damage. She pleaded not guilty, supported by her father and party figures.
A potential international incident emerged when 17 South Africans, mostly from KwaZulu-Natal and aged 20-39, were lured to fight in Ukraine under false job promises. President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered an investigation on 6 November, citing the 1998 Foreign Military Assistance Act. Zuma wrote to Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov on 19 September, pleading for their safe removal after they received only three weeks' training in Pskov before deployment to Donbas. Spokesperson Ndhlela confirmed Zuma's signature on the letter, which described the recruits as sent 'to learn from the finest' via an MK-linked program. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu mentioned intelligence on a KwaZulu-Natal paramilitary structure on 22 October, stating, 'I had picked up information that there were such intentions in KwaZulu-Natal. I won’t be able to talk in detail.' No direct link to the recruits has been established.
Zuma has ruled out an elective conference, asserting his authority: 'We are only going to meet as a party to discuss how we are taking the party forward. If you can’t listen, we’ll remove you.' The party reported R2.8-million in 2024 income from fees and donations, far short of its campaign expenses. Analyst Prince Mashele described MK as a 'stokvel' doomed to crumble while Zuma leads.