Zuma dissolves MK Party presidential task team in latest shake-up
The move comes less than six months after Zuma established the task team in February to coordinate the establishment of party branches.
Former president Jacob Zuma has disbanded the party’s presidential task team (PTT) in the latest leadership shake-up within an organisation that has become known for frequent changes to its leadership structures.
The move comes less than six months after Zuma established the task team in February to coordinate the establishment of party branches and prepare the organisation for the November Local Government Elections.
The PTT, which included Zuma’s son, Duduzani Zuma, has now been replaced by a new Strategic Presidential Team (SPT). The new structure will become the highest decision-making body in the party and assume wide-ranging powers previously exercised by the PTT, as well as key administrative and financial functions.
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The changes also signal a further consolidation of authority in Zuma’s office, with responsibilities previously handled by MK Party secretary-general Sibonelo Nomvalo and treasurer-general Brian Molefe now falling directly under the presidency.
Announcing the changes, the MK Party said the SPT had been established in terms of the party’s constitution to strengthen its leadership and improve organisational efficiency.
“The Strategic Presidential Team is hereby constituted as the highest decision-making and strategic leadership body of the organisation, vested with overarching authority to provide leadership, strategic direction, organisational coordination and oversight of the implementation of the Party’s political programme and constitutional mandate,” the party said.
According to the party, the decision was intended “to strengthen the Party’s leadership architecture, consolidate strategic authority, eliminate fragmentation in decision-making and ensure disciplined, unified and effective execution of Party resolutions and programmes.”
“All powers, responsibilities, mandates and functions previously exercised by the Presidential Task Team are hereby transferred to and consolidated under the Strategic Presidential Team,” the party said.
In a further indication of Zuma’s growing control over MK Party affairs, the former president recently announced that the secretary-general’s office would now report directly to him.
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The SGO will now operate under presidential authority, responsible for executing and supporting core organizational functions, including membership system and related digital infrastructure, monitoring and evaluation of governance across MKP caucuses and public representatives, communication and maintenance of party structures at all levels.
“This arrangement ensures continuity, stability and the smooth function of this governance structure under the strategic authority of the Presidency,” Zuma said.
The restructuring also places financial oversight closer to Zuma’s office, with fundraising functions that previously fell under Molefe now being undertaken by the MK Party’s presidency.
The SPT, the MK Party said, would provide long-term strategic planning, oversee the implementation of party policies, strengthen coordination across party structures, lead election campaigns and ensure accountability throughout the organisation.
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“The MK Party calls upon all leaders, Members of Parliament, public representatives, members and organisational structures to fully support and implement this decision, and to work collectively in advancing the unity, strength and electoral success of the organisation,” the organisation said.
The latest changes come as the MK Party intensifies preparations for the November local government elections, with the party eyeing strategic KwaZulu-Natal municipalities such as eThekwini and Msunduzi.