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MK chief whip reinstated after Zuma voids expulsion as police probe continues
South Africa’s political landscape shifted again this week after MK Party president Jacob Zuma overturned the expulsion of his party’s parliamentary chief whip, Mmabatho Mokoena-Zondi.
The decision restores Mokoena-Zondi to her position at the heart of the party’s parliamentary machinery, even as a criminal investigation linked to alleged extortion continues in the background.
Mokoena-Zondi, who serves as the MK Party’s whip in the National Council of Provinces, had faced a disciplinary process within the party that recommended her expulsion. That outcome has now been formally declared null and void.
Zuma steps in
In a letter confirming his ruling, Zuma upheld Mokoena-Zondi’s appeal against the disciplinary finding. He cited alleged irregularities in how the process was conducted and stated that the expulsion contradicted an earlier directive issued under his authority.
According to the letter, the earlier directive had withdrawn all charges against her and nullified previous disciplinary actions. By overturning the expulsion, Zuma effectively reset the party’s internal position on the matter.
He directed that Mokoena-Zondi be reinstated immediately as MK Party chief whip in the NCOP, with the reinstatement recorded as legally binding and superseding earlier disciplinary decisions. He further instructed that her access to official communication platforms and parliamentary resources be restored without delay.
The decision places Zuma’s authority at the centre of the party’s internal processes and reinforces his role in resolving disputes within the organisation.
A key parliamentary role
The chief whip position in the NCOP is not ceremonial. It carries significant responsibility in coordinating party representatives, managing attendance and discipline, and ensuring that the party’s legislative priorities are carried forward effectively.
For a party that is still solidifying its structures and parliamentary presence, continuity in such a role matters. Mokoena-Zondi has said she intends to focus squarely on fulfilling her mandate in Parliament and ensuring that MK Party representatives deliver on their responsibilities.
She has publicly denied any wrongdoing and maintains that she has been cleared internally. At the same time, she has indicated that she will not interfere with the legal process.
Criminal probe continues
While the MK Party’s internal decision has been settled for now, the criminal investigation remains active.
Mokoena-Zondi is the subject of a year-long police probe following complaints by several party members. The allegations relate to extortion, and criminal charges have been brought. The internal party ruling does not affect that investigation, which continues independently of party structures.
Police had not responded to requests for comment at the time the development became public.
This separation between internal political processes and criminal proceedings is significant. A party can resolve its own disciplinary matters, but it cannot halt or override a police investigation. That distinction will likely shape how the story unfolds in the coming months.
What happens next?
For now, Mokoena-Zondi returns to her post with the backing of her party president. Parliament continues its work, and the MK Party retains its chief whip in the NCOP.
The legal process, however, will move on its own timeline. Whether it results in prosecution or is eventually closed remains to be seen.
In a political climate where internal party battles and external legal scrutiny often intersect, this development adds another chapter to an already complex narrative. For the MK Party, the immediate message is one of reinstatement and continuity. For the broader public, the unanswered questions now sit with the ongoing police investigation.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: News24
