MK Party expels Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and Nhlamulo Ndhlela
Zuma-Sambudla and Ndhlela were both accused of acting in ways that conflicted with the organisation’s constitutional obligations.
The MK Party has expelled party leader Jacob Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, and former spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela, in a dramatic disciplinary move announced in Sandton on Thursday.
The decision was confirmed by party secretary-general Sibonelo Nomvalo during a media briefing, who said the pair had been removed with immediate effect following conduct the party says undermined its unity, discipline and leadership structures.
Nomvalo said the expulsions followed alleged actions before and after the death of MP Muzi Ntshingila, which the party believes contributed to internal instability and public confusion.
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Zuma-Sambudla and Ndhlela, a former party spokesperson, were both accused of acting in ways that conflicted with the organisation’s constitutional obligations.
Announcing the decision, Nomvalo said the party had relied on Section 2 of its constitution, which grants Zuma authority over key organisational and policy directives.
“In the case of Ms Zuma-Sambudla, the party has noted repeated public statements and social media publications that have 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,” he said.
He added that these actions had fuelled internal divisions and weakened confidence in the collective leadership of the movement.
Nomvalo further accused Zuma-Sambudla of participating in and promoting activities outside officially sanctioned party programmes, which allegedly created confusion among supporters and members.
On Ndhlela, Nomvalo said the party had found that he acted without proper authority, including convening and addressing media briefings without approval from recognised structures.
“He has been misrepresenting party positions and structures, participating in activities outside authorised party programmes and engaging in actions that have created confusion regarding official party processes and leadership arrangements,” Nomvalo said.
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The party also invoked section 2H of its constitution, which empowers Zuma to issue presidential decrees on matters relating to the operation, administration and policy direction of the organisation.
According to Nomvalo, such directives are binding across all levels of the party.
“The president may determine and convene policy and consultative conferences to discuss issues and matters deemed important for the growth of the organisation.
“Accordingly, the MK Party hereby announces the expulsion of Ms Zuma-Sambudla and Mr Ndhlela from the party with immediate effect. Their membership of the MK Party is hereby terminated,” he said.
