Expelled prominent MK Party members Zuma-Sambudla and Ndhlela demand reinstatement
The two have also been accused of moving MK Party MP Muzi Ntshingila – who has since died — from one hospital to another without the permission of his family members.
Recently expelled MK Party members Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and Nhlamulo Ndhlela have launched a spirited challenge against the party’s leadership, insisting that their removal from the organisation was procedurally flawed.
Ndhlela and Zuma-Sambudla, who is the daughter of MK Party leader – former president Jacob Zuma, were expelled for what the MK Party leadership described as conduct which “sow divisions” within the party.
The two have also been accused of moving MK Party MP Muzi Ntshingila – who has since died — from one hospital to another without the permission of his family members.
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Addressing a media briefing on Sunday, the pair rejected the legitimacy of the decision to expel them and demanded that the party leadership reverse what they described as an unlawful action.
Ndhlela, who is the MK Party former national spokesperson, maintained that neither he nor Zuma-Sambudla had been afforded a fair disciplinary process before being expelled.
“Our dispute is not with President Jacob Zuma but with those who undermine the constitution of the organisation.
“There are individuals who seek to exploit the president for their own benefit,” he said.
The individuals behind their expulsion, Ndhlela said, had failed to follow the MK Party’s internal procedures.
“We have incompetent leaders who do not understand the constitution. The process that led to our expulsion was procedurally flawed.
“They have no grounds to expel us,” he said.
Ndhlela said the duo will be writing to MK Party secretary general Sibonelo Nomvalo, demanding their reinstatement. Should the two not receive a satisfactory response, Ndhlela said, they will head to the High Court.
Since the formation of the MK Party in 2023, several party members have accused Zuma-Sambudla of sowing divisions with the party, which has developed a reputation of purging senior leaders.
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These include former secretary general Floyd Shivambu, former National Assembly caucus chief whip Colleen Makhubele and former secretary general Arthur Zwane.
However, Zuma-Sambundla at the press briefing denied sowing divisions within the MK Party.
“I don’t take responsibility for the implosion of the MK Party. I blame the people surrounding my father,” she said.
On the allegations that they moved Ntshingila from one hospital to another without his family’s permission, the duo said the former MP’s life partner Ayanda Maseko held a different view to that held by the MK Party’s leadership.
Maseko, who participated in Sunday’s press briefing, said it was Ndhlela and Zuma -Sambudla who supported her and Maseko during the period of his ill health.
“Dudu was a constant source of support throughout Muzi’s illness. She stood by us and provided comfort when it was needed,” she said.
She denied that Ndhlela and Zuma-Sambudla made any decision on which hospital Ntshingila should be admitted to.
“Muzi was capable of making his own decisions,” she said.
