By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party leader Jacob Zuma established Strategic Presidential Team (SPT), replacing the old Presidential Task Team (PTT) and stripping the party’s secretary-general of operational powers.
A 20-member strategic presidential team wields sweeping authority over party operations, elections, discipline, and lifestyle audits.
Zuma last week placed the MK Party’s finances under his personal control, stripping all officials of their bank account signing authority.
On Tuesday, 28 July 2026, the party confirmed that it made further changes, announcing the dissolution of its Presidential Task Team.
MK Party national spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu said the Strategic Presidential Team had been established in terms of Section 7 2(h) of the party’s Constitution.
Mahlangu said the new structure would serve as “the highest decision-making and strategic leadership body of the organisation”, providing strategic leadership, organisational coordination and oversight of the implementation of the party’s political programme and constitutional mandate.
He said 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”.
Mahlangu said that, with immediate effect, the Presidential Task Team had been formally dissolved, with all its powers, responsibilities, mandates and functions transferred to and consolidated under the Strategic Presidential Team.
The party said all powers, responsibilities, mandates and functions previously exercised by the Presidential Task Team had been transferred to and consolidated under the Strategic Presidential Team.
“The Strategic Presidential Team shall, with immediate effect, assume all secretariat and financial powers and responsibilities necessary for the effective administration, coordination, governance and strategic management of the organisation,” he said.
Mahlangu said the Strategic Presidential Team and the National Officials would work together “to ensure strategic coherence, organisational effectiveness, accountability and the successful implementation of the Party’s programmes and electoral strategy”.
He said the Strategic Presidential Team would exercise supreme strategic leadership and decision-making authority on behalf of the organisation, while providing long-term strategic planning and organisational direction.
The party has also tightened its communication protocols, instructing members and MPs—specifically naming Mzwanele Manyi—to stop conducting unauthorized media interviews.
Members must now obtain explicit approval from communication leadership before engaging with the press.
In recent weeks, the MK party has been accused by supporters and critics alike of playing political musical chairs. Officials have been removed, redeployed or replaced as Zuma tightens his grip on the organisation’s structure.
According to a poll conducted on behalf of The Brenthurst Foundation in 2024, the MK party is the third-largest party in the country, with 15% in the polls, behind the African National Congress (ANC) at 39% and the Democratic Alliance (DA) at 27%.