Yasmin Bilal
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has announced the immediate expulsion of Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and Nhlamulo Ndhlela, citing conduct it says violated the organisation’s values, discipline and constitutional principles.
The party said both members had been instructed not to make public statements, commentary or social media posts that could cause further distress to the Ntshingila family following a recent bereavement.
It said the directive included commentary on the deceased and matters relating to his marital status.
The party also issued an apology to the Ntshingila family for any distress caused during the mourning period.
According to the MK Party, both Zuma-Sambudla and Ndhlela failed to comply with the instruction. It is alleged that Zuma-Sambudla later engaged in social media commentary relating to the deceased despite the directive.
The party described the conduct as insensitive and disrespectful to a grieving family, and said it was inconsistent with the standards expected of members.
It further said the actions reflected a disregard for organisational authority and deepened internal divisions during a sensitive period.
“Having carefully considered the seriousness, extent and cumulative impact of the conduct outlined above, the National Officials have resolved that Ms Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and Mr Nhlamulo Ndhlela have acted in a manner fundamentally inconsistent with the values, discipline, constitutional principles and organisational interests of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party,” the statement said.
The party said the decision was taken in terms of its constitution, which grants the President authority to issue binding directives on matters relating to the organisation’s operation and administration.
It said the expulsions take immediate effect and that both members’ membership has been terminated, along with all associated rights and privileges.
Last night, Zuma-Sambudla posted a series of messages on her X account.
She wrote: “As an ordinary MK member, I’m hearing murmurs of a potential expulsion letter coming my way for being honest and respecting our people.”
She added, “That means all members who express their views honestly and respectfully must also be expelled. They can expel me as an ordinary member of MK, but they can’t expel me from being a founding member of MK.”
In another post, she said: “President Zuma founded and launched the last hope of the people, a liberation movement for the people by the people (activists). It was organic, it was spiritual. We coined the phrase, “Asibabizi Bayazizela”
She further wrote: “Sadly, the ordinary MK members (activists) are losing hope in the last hope of the people because it has now started to become a political party.”
The posts were signed: “Ordinary Member of MK.”