The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has expelled Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and former party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndlela with immediate effect, citing conduct that allegedly undermined party unity, discipline and organisational cohesion.
The announcement was made by MK Party Secretary-General Sibonelo Nomvalo during a media briefing in Sandton on Thursday.
Party President Jacob Zuma was also in attendance. Nomvalo said the decision followed a review by the party’s National Officials, who found that both members had acted in ways that conflicted with the party’s constitution and organisational principles.
He said the expulsions demonstrated that the MK Party was not a “stokvel” but a disciplined political organisation governed by its constitution and leadership structures.
“The National Officials have considered a series of actions, public statements and activities by Ms Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and Mr Nhlamulo Ndlela that have been found to be in conflict with the constitutional obligations of members and leaders of the MK Party, and which have undermined organisational unity, discipline and cohesion,” said Nomvalo.
According to the party, Zuma-Sambudla repeatedly made public statements and social media posts that undermined party unity, promoted factional narratives, questioned the legitimacy of party decisions and exposed internal organisational matters to the public.
Nomvalo said her actions contributed to divisions within the movement and weakened confidence in the party’s collective leadership.
The party also accused Zuma-Sambudla of participating in and promoting activities outside officially sanctioned party programmes, creating confusion among members and supporters about the organisation’s official positions.
Ndlela, who previously served as the MK Party’s national spokesperson, was accused of acting without proper organisational authority, convening and addressing media briefings without approval, misrepresenting party positions, and participating in unauthorised activities that allegedly created confusion about official party processes and leadership arrangements.
The MK Party further raised concerns about the conduct of both members following the illness and death of former MK Party Member of Parliament Muzi Ntshingila.
Nomvalo alleged that Zuma-Sambudla and Ndlela were involved in moving the ailing Ntshingila to another healthcare facility without the knowledge of his family and had no authority to intervene in matters relating to his medical care.
The party also cited concerns over the removal of Ntshingila’s personal belongings from his parliamentary residence without his family’s knowledge.
Following complaints from the Ntshingila family, MK Party Parliamentary Leader Dr John Hlophe reportedly instructed both members not to attend the funeral proceedings and to refrain from making public statements or social media posts regarding the deceased.
Nomvalo said the pair failed to comply with those instructions, with Zuma-Sambudla continuing to comment publicly on matters relating to Ntshingila.
“The party regards this conduct as insensitive, disrespectful to a grieving family, and inconsistent with the values, discipline and standards expected of members of the organisation,” he said.
After considering the matter, the party resolved that both Zuma-Sambudla and Ndlela had acted in a manner fundamentally inconsistent with the values and constitutional principles of the MK Party.
Invoking powers vested in party president Jacob Zuma under the party constitution, the MK Party announced that the memberships of Zuma-Sambudla and Ndlela had been terminated with immediate effect.
The pair will no longer enjoy any rights, privileges, responsibilities or authority associated with membership of the organisation.
