Zandile Gumede joins uMkhonto weSizwe Party as deputy provincial convener

Former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede has officially joined the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) and been appointed deputy provincial convener, the party announced at a media briefing in Durban on Monday afternoon.

New role in MKP leadership

Gumede was introduced as a new member and immediately handed the post to deputise former ANC provincial deputy chairperson Willies Mchunu. She thanked the party for welcoming her but made no extended remarks at the briefing.

Reactions and remarks

MKP leader Jacob Zuma expressed his pleasure at Gumede’s arrival. He described her as a “big fish” for the party and urged unity in his comments, including a call he framed as asking “all black people to unite and finally take the country back from the white people and others” according to Zuma.

“We are happy to welcome you comrades. Now you are home from kwagogo (a term currently used to refer to their former political party, the ANC),” said Zuma.

Political context and past controversies

Gumede was the first woman to become eThekwini ANC regional chairperson in 2015. She was removed as mayor in August 2019 following her arrest in May 2019 and is still on trial in connection with a R320 million Durban Solid Waste tender corruption case. Despite the charges, she remained popular among supporters who frequently attended her court appearances.

In the 2022 eThekwini ANC regional conference Gumede was re-elected despite being absent while observing the ANC’s step-aside policy.

Religious shift and public posts

On the same day as her MKP introduction, Gumede posted photographs of herself being baptised into the Nazareth Baptist Church, signalling a move away from the Methodist Church of Southern Africa. In her post she praised Nazareth Baptist Church leader Mduduzi Shembe, also known to members as Unyazi Lwezulu, and said she had witnessed “such a revelation” and thanked him for the warmth shown to her and her family.

Other defections and party responses

Other former ANC members who joined the MKP alongside Gumede included her former ANC deputy regional chairperson Mondli Mthembu and former eThekwini councillor Stanely Moonsamy, among others.

The ANC provincial spokesperson Sifiso Sonjica said the party had no business commenting on members of other parties.

MKP denies financial trouble

The MKP used the media briefing to dismiss reports of financial problems in its KwaZulu-Natal structures. Party Secretary-General Sibonelo Nomvalo said reports that the MKP provincial offices had been closed because of non-payment of rent were false.