MK Party sacks SG Sibonelo Nomvalo over alleged unauthorised decisions

Allegations behind the removal

The party said Nomvalo was dismissed after a series of actions it described as unauthorised and damaging to internal coordination. Accusations included establishing high-level deployment committees without the knowledge of the party leadership and reshuffling the parliamentary caucus and party administration without informing Zuma, national officials or the party presidency collective.

The party also listed concerns about the councillor selection process, internal factionalism, matters relating to dual remuneration and delays in campaign materials.

“These matters have raised concerns regarding organisational coordination, internal communication, accountability and adherence to established party procedures,”

The statement asked Nomvalo to cooperate with party structures to hand over his duties.

“He is requested to cooperate fully with the relevant structures to ensure a smooth and orderly handover of his duties.”

How the party is filling the gap

To maintain operations during the transition, the MK Party appointed Deputy Secretary-General Lindiwe Mtshali as acting secretary-general. Mtshali will work alongside national chairperson Mxolisi Phakathi to keep the party’s administration running.

In addition, national spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu was assigned the functions of deputy secretary-general, to be shared with Mtshali while he continues in his role as spokesperson.

“All comrades are called upon to respect organisational processes, avoid unnecessary divisions and place the interests of the organisation above individual considerations,”

“The party comes first. Unity, discipline and accountability remain our collective responsibility.”

Nomvalo’s recent role and party background

Sibonelo Nomvalo is a Member of Parliament who served on Parliament’s ad hoc committee probing allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. He was appointed secretary-general in March, replacing Bongani Mncwango, a former Sanlam executive whom Zuma removed after about seven months in the post.

The MK Party has seen several occupants of the secretary-general position since its formation. According to the party’s record of holders, Floyd Shivambu, Arthur Zwane, Sihle Ngubane, Sfiso Maseko and Thanduxolo Dyodo all served in the role before Mncwango.

The party acknowledged Nomvalo’s contribution and said it wished him well.

A recent pattern of disputes and reshuffles

Tensions inside the MK Party have been public and recurring. In June, Nomvalo announced the immediate expulsion of Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and former spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela, saying they had acted against the party’s values and constitution. Ndhlela responded at a media briefing days later, sharply critical of Nomvalo’s stewardship and saying the party had never had a capable secretary-general.

In a complaint dated June 8, Nomvalo accused KwaZulu-Natal caucus leader Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza of campaigning for his removal and spreading claims that he was controlled by a senior politician from a rival party.

On August 4, Zuma carried out a wider reshuffle, removing Nkosinathi Nhleko as national chairperson, John Hlophe as first deputy president and Nomsa Dlamini as deputy secretary-general. Zuma appointed his son, Duduzane Zuma, as first deputy president; Mxolisi Phakathi replaced Nhleko and Mtshali replaced Dlamini. At the same time, Zuma dissolved the party’s strategic presidential team and directed Nomvalo and treasurer-general Brian Molefe to resume their duties, lifting a moratorium on the party’s finances, secretariat and communications.

In September, party members protested outside the MK Party offices in Durban, alleging that the councillor list submitted to the Electoral Commission of South Africa had been manipulated and did not reflect the candidates chosen in the wards. The party subsequently removed Zandile Hlophe-Mkhwanazi as its eThekwini mayoral candidate and replaced her with Phakathi.

Why the timing matters

The dismissal comes at a sensitive moment for the MK Party: the move was announced less than two weeks before the local government elections. A secretary-general is typically responsible for party administration, coordination of campaign logistics and ensuring agreed procedures are followed; sudden changes at that level can affect organisation and campaign delivery.

Without asserting specific new consequences, such disruptions may complicate final preparations for candidate deployment, the production and distribution of campaign materials and the clearing up of internal disputes in the run-up to polling.

What happens next

The MK Party has called on its national, provincial, regional and branch structures to cooperate with the new acting officials to maintain stability and focus on the party’s campaign. The party also asked Nomvalo to participate in a prompt and orderly handover.

The removal took effect immediately, and the party has publicly framed the change as necessary to restore organisational coordination, internal communication and adherence to party procedures.