By Lehlohonolo Lehana
The Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has released its list of new Members of Parliament to be sworn-in excluding former general secretary Floyd Shivambu.
Shivambu was ousted from his position as secretary-general, becoming the latest of many high-profile members to be removed from their positions since the party was formed in December 2023.
It was already clear that Shivambu’s future in the party hung in the balance, after Jacob Zuma’s scathing speech on Monday, June 16, in which he took a veiled swipe at Shivambu, saying the party would not beg anybody when they did wrong, no matter how popular they were.
The party has been embroiled in internal tensions and his controversial Easter Weekend visit to fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri’s church in Malawi, was a turning point that marked the beginning of his downfall.
The MK party said he undertook the visit in his personal capacity, without the mandate or knowledge of the party.
Shivambu was appointed as secretary-general in November 2024 as the MK party prepared to mark its first anniversary in December.
Shivambu revealed during a press conference on Thursday, that he is consulting with traditional and religious leaders about starting a new political formation.
He claimed that his removal was due to “fake intelligence report” that he was plotting to unseat Zuma as leader of the MK party.
Shivambu also claimed there are “political scoundrels” who siphon funds from the MK party. He said R7 million is being withdrawn from the party coffers every month.
While MK continues reinforcing its parliamentary presence with fresh faces, Shivambu’s political future remains uncertain as he navigates the internal rift and his ambitions for a new political movement.
The party had revealed that Shivambu will be redeployed to the National Assembly after his unsanctioned visit to Malawi.
The nine names on the list are: Lungisani Shangase, Jefrey Mtolo, Zibuse Cele, Siphetho Mkhize, Philisande Mkhize, Kaiser Motaung, Noma Buthelezi, Ntandoyenkosi Shezi and Khanyisile Litchfield-Tshabalala.
The new MPs are set to be sworn in on Wednesday. They will be filling vacant seats.
According to the MK party, these individuals bring diverse experience and dedication, poised to bolster the party’s efforts to serve South Africans and uphold the core values of democracy, equality, and justice.
Colleen Makhubele, the MK Party’s chief whip, said the party is committed to effective representation and pursuing policies that benefit all citizens.
“These new members exemplify our commitment to building a better future for South Africa. We look forward to working with them as we continue to advocate for the rights and interests of our people,” she said.
The party exceeded opinion poll expectations by coming third in the election in which the African National Congress (ANC) lost its parliamentary majority.
Meanwhile the party has accused its founder, Jabulani Khumalo, of “propagating” false claims about its leadership.
It comes after the Commissioner of Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) confirmed this week that Khumalo has been reinstated as the director of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party NPC.