Mervyn Dirks Left in the Dark Amid MK Party Shake-Up

Power plays and silence: What’s really happening inside Zuma’s MK party?

If Mervyn Dirks has been removed as the opposition leader in the KZN Legislature, no one bothered to tell him. And in the rough-and-tumble world of South African politics, that silence is deafening.

The longtime ANC defector and now one of the most prominent voices in the Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) party finds himself at the centre of a storm and he says he’s as confused as everyone else.

“I haven’t received any formal communication,” Dirks told IOL, clearly blindsided by reports of his alleged ousting. “You’ll have to ask the national spokesperson or President Zuma.”

But as of now, the party’s brass isn’t talking. Neither is Zuma.

A party in turmoil or in transition?

The MK Party’s internal waters have been choppy ever since the 2024 elections, where its sudden rise shook up South Africa’s political landscape. But what seemed like momentum has since turned into murmurs of discontent and possible purges.

Just days before the Dirks controversy, Floyd Shivambu, formerly associated with the EFF and reportedly helping shape MK’s parliamentary machinery, was shown the door. Former chief whip Mzwanele Manyi? Also out — replaced by political newcomer Colleen Makhubele.

In a fiery weekend address, Jacob Zuma minced no words: the party would not beg members who thought they were “too big” to follow its rules. It was an indirect, yet unmistakable, shot at internal dissenters.

But the way these leadership shifts are being handled with whispers instead of statements is raising more eyebrows than rallying support.

The communication vacuum is deafening

The MK Party, still relatively young and riding on Zuma’s charisma, has yet to develop the institutional muscle and internal coherence of its more seasoned rivals. But even in its infancy, a lack of transparency can breed chaos,  especially when high-ranking members claim they’re learning about their demotion through the media.

Observers say the party’s failure to clearly communicate its leadership changes is a red flag.

“If Dirks is unaware of his removal, that speaks volumes about either dysfunction or a calculated sidelining,” said a senior political analyst in Durban, who asked to remain anonymous. “Neither is good.”

Public reaction: Frustration, confusion and concern

Social media has lit up with speculation. Some MK supporters expressed shock at Dirks’ potential removal, calling him a “solid comrade” and “one of the few voices with legislative experience.” Others have dismissed the fallout as part of necessary internal discipline.

On X (formerly Twitter), one user posted:

“Dirks, Shivambu, Manyi… who’s next? MK is starting to look like a party purging competence for compliance.”

Another responded:

“Zuma’s house, Zuma’s rules. If you can’t follow, step aside.”

A deeper issue: Loyalty vs. leadership

At the heart of the MK Party drama is a classic South African political tension: personality-driven politics versus institutional structure. Zuma’s presence gives MK gravitational pull, but what happens when his inner circle isn’t aligned?

If Dirks, a former ANC stalwart with years of legislative experience — is being removed without due process or communication, it raises questions about governance, internal democracy and decision-making.

Is MK a rising force with teething problems, or a fast-burning star destined for internal collapse?

Where does this leave Dirks?

For now, he remains defiant, refusing to accept any change without official word. “As far as I’m concerned, I still hold my position,” he said.

But silence from the top doesn’t bode well. In South African politics, not being told is often the first sign you’ve already been removed.

 The MK Party’s meteoric rise now faces its toughest test yet, not from opposition benches, but from within. And if it doesn’t resolve these internal tensions quickly and transparently, its future may be written not in electoral wins, but in political obituaries.

As for Mervyn Dirks, the question isn’t whether he’s still in, it’s how long he’s willing to wait in the dark.

{Source: IOL}

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