‘We Voted Our Conscience’: MK Party Fractures Deepen as MPLs Rebel Over Revenue Bill

Five defiant votes in KwaZulu-Natal signal growing leadership crisis within Zuma’s party

In a telling sign that the Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) may be cracking under the weight of its own rapid rise, a fresh public rebellion by five of its KwaZulu-Natal provincial legislature members has deepened already glaring fault lines.

During a virtual special sitting of the KZN Legislature on Wednesday, the Division of Revenue Bill (DORA) for 2025 passed, but not without drama. Although MK Party Chief Whip Bonginkosi Mngadi voted in support of the bill, five MKP members broke ranks and voted against it, directly defying his instruction.

MKP vs MKP: Who’s Really in Charge?

The bill, which outlines how national revenue will be distributed among national, provincial and local governments in the next fiscal year, typically flies under the radar. But for MKP, it became a battlefield for competing loyalties and ideological contradictions.

At the centre of the storm is Mervyn Dirks, a former ANC MP who joined MKP earlier this year and once served as its KZN Chief Whip. Speaking to IOL, Dirks made it clear he aligned his vote with MKP’s national stance, saying:

“MKP in the National Assembly and the NCOP voted against this Bill. I voted against it too.”

He offered no words of support for Mngadi, simply stating: “I have no comment.”

The five MKP rebels who voted no alongside Dirks include Patience Gamede, Professor Mbatha, S’thembiso Magubane, and Bongumusa Mkhize. Their collective defiance signals a serious lack of cohesion within the party ranks and potentially a brewing leadership legitimacy crisis.

A Pattern of Purges and Power Plays

What’s unfolding in KZN isn’t an isolated incident. It’s the latest flare-up in a string of internal battles that have plagued the party since its surprise performance in the 2024 national elections.

From the mysterious removal of Floyd Shivambu as secretary-general over a rogue Malawi trip to meet fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri, to the sudden ousting of Mzwanele Manyi as parliamentary Chief Whip — the MK Party has developed a reputation for rapid promotions followed by swift expulsions.

Most recently, the appointment of Colleen Makhubele as national Chief Whip drew fierce backlash from within the party. A letter penned by dissenting MPs accused her of “undemocratic decisions,” betraying party values — particularly over her stance on Israel and described her as a “political novice.”

“Her leadership threatens party unity,” the letter bluntly stated.

Is Zuma Losing His Grip?

While Jacob Zuma remains the undisputed face of the MK Party, these escalating internal rifts raise real questions about whether he’s still in control or if the party is splintering beyond even his legendary influence.

Notably, MKP Member of Parliament Brian Molefe, when asked about the KZN contradictions, distanced national leadership from the drama entirely:

“I don’t know what happened in KZN,” Molefe said.

This lack of coordination is stunning for a party that brands itself as revolutionary but disciplined. What’s becoming evident, however, is a pattern of centralised decision-making, often without internal consultation, leaving even key members confused, resentful, or openly rebellious.

The Bigger Picture: What’s at Stake

At face value, this might seem like a small procedural dispute over a revenue bill. But at stake is something far bigger: MKP’s credibility.

In the court of public opinion, consistency and discipline matter. Voters who backed Zuma’s party in 2024 expecting bold, united opposition to the ANC now face a spectacle of infighting, contradictions, and opaque power struggles.

With municipal elections just around the corner and coalition talks becoming increasingly delicate, the MK Party’s internal disarray could weaken its hand at a critical political moment.

And for many observers, the events in KZN are not just a rebellious vote, they’re a red flag.

A Party at a Crossroads

The MK Party rode into Parliament with promises of radical transformation and internal integrity. But as this week’s events show, it’s facing an identity crisis that threatens to derail its momentum.

Without clear leadership, communication, and a shared vision, MKP risks becoming a case study in how quickly a revolution can eat its own.

For now, the party’s war is not with the ANC, but with itself.

{Source: IOL}

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