MK Party expels Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and Nhlamulo Ndhlela over actions said to undermine unity

uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has announced the immediate expulsion of Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and Nhlamulo Ndhlela, saying their recent conduct undermined the party’s authority, unity and discipline.

Party statement read to top leadership

The decision was communicated in a statement read by the party Secretary-General Sibonelo Nomvalo in front of the party’s top leadership, including Jacob Zuma, Tony Yengeni and national chairperson Nathi Nhleko.

Reasons given for expulsions

The MKP said the National Officials had considered “a series of actions, public statements, and activities by Ms Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and Nhlamulo Ndhlela that have been found to be in conflict with the constitutional obligations of members and leaders of the MK Party and which have undermined organisational unity, discipline, and cohesion.”

“Accordingly, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party hereby announces the expulsion of Ms Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and Mr Nhlamulo Ndhlela from the party with immediate effect. Their membership of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party is hereby terminated, and they shall no longer enjoy any rights, privileges, responsibilities, or authority associated with membership of the organisation,” the statement read.

Specific conduct cited

On Zuma-Sambudla, the party said she had made repeated public statements and social media publications that “undermined organisational unity, promoted factional narratives, publicly discredited recognised party leadership structures, challenged the legitimacy of party decisions, and brought internal organisational matters into the public domain.”

The party said Zuma-Sambudla had participated in and promoted activities outside officially sanctioned programmes, creating confusion among members and supporters about the organisation’s official position and programmes. It noted that she attended a separate June 16 rally in Limpopo that was not sanctioned by the party while the main party rally that day was in Mpumalanga.

Concerning Ndhlela, the MKP said it identified conduct including acting without proper organisational authority, convening and addressing media briefings without approval of recognised party structures, misrepresenting party positions and structures, and taking part in unauthorised activities that created confusion about official party processes and leadership arrangements.

Contested actions after MP’s illness and death

The party said it had noted with serious concern actions by both members following the passing of MK Party Member of Parliament Muzi Ntshingila. The MKP said Zuma-Sambudla and Ndhlela moved an ailing Ntshingila to another health facility without the knowledge of his family and removed his belongings from his Parliament house without the family’s knowledge.

The party said it instructed the two not to attend Ntshingila’s funeral and to refrain from posting on social media, but that they defied those instructions.

Disciplinary history and responses

The statement notes that Nhlamulo Ndhlela, a former spokesperson, has been on suspension since last month after reading a statement in front of Zuma and other leaders that was later disputed by Zuma and party leadership.

The MKP said Zuma-Sambudla had publicly attacked the party over Ndhlela’s suspension and had continued to post critical messages on social media. Attempts to obtain comment from both Ndhlela and Zuma-Sambudla were unsuccessful, the party said.

Reaction from Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla

Shortly after the expulsions, Zuma-Sambudla posted on her X account:

“When leaders don’t know the constitution of the liberation movement, they become constitutional delinquents.”

She also announced on X that “Ndhlela will be our acting spokesperson” without naming the organisation he would represent.