By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former Western Cape High Court Judge John Hlophe has been reinstated as Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party’s first deputy president and parliamentary leader.
In a statement to the party’s structures and membership, newly appointed secretary general Sibonelo Nomvalo confirmed the decision to reinstate Hlophe immediately to both his leadership roles.
He emphasised the importance of unity and cooperation within the party moving forward.
“The suspension of Hlophe arose out of matters that necessitated the President to appoint an independent legal panel, led by an Advocate, to investigate allegations levelled at Hlophe and make recommendations to the President on the necessary course of action,” Nomvalo said.
After receiving the panel’s findings, party leader Jacob Zuma held a bilateral meeting with Hlophe, during which all the allegations were discussed.
Following this, the President made the decision to reinstate Hlophe to his positions as first deputy president and parliamentary party leader, according to Nomvalo.
The controversy arose after Hlophe removed Colleen Makhubele as the MK Party’s chief whip in parliament and replaced her with former finance minister Des van Rooyen.
The decision was taken while Zuma was out of the country and was later described by party leadership as having been made without proper consultation. The MK Party leadership subsequently reversed the change and reinstated Makhubele to the chief whip position.
Soon after returning to the country, Zuma announced that Hlophe would be placed on suspension from his roles as deputy president and parliamentary leader pending an investigation into the matter.
Hlophe joined the MK Party in 2024 and was among the party’s most senior leaders in parliament following the national elections. The party came third – a major factor in the governing ANC losing its majority for the first time since democratic elections were introduced in 1994.