By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has confirmed that the party’s spokersperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela has been officially removed from the parliamentary whippery.
The Whippery is responsible for the daily conduct of MPs with regard to the discharge of their responsibilities.
Each political party has a Whip. A Whip is a Political Office that is assigned to an elected Members of Parliament whose task is to administer the Whippery system of Parliament and oversee its political and administrative functioning, as well as ensure that MPs attend and vote in the House and undertake their legislative duties, as the elected representatives of the people.
MK Party parliamentary leader Dr John Hlophe and Chief Whip Collen Makhubele briefed the media on the latest developments in Parliament work and ongoing Budget votes.
Hlophe confirmed to that he had removed Ndhlela as a whip. This comes after he flagged disrespectful conduct by Ndlela and Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla.
Hlophe said such behavior undermines the dignity and collaborative spirit required within the whippery team.
Ndhlela was also accused of obstruction of parliamentary communications, which has caused delays and negatively impacted the party’s public image.
“We had to terminate the whippery status of Nhlamulo Ndhlela. He was the deputy whip, and no longer a whip.
“We decided to terminate that for the reasons that were given to him. There is a letter that was written by my office on 23 June 2025,” he said.
Despite the ongoing factional battles in the MK party, Hlophe said the party continues to be an effective player in national politics.
Hlophe went on to clarify the reported removal of Makhubele, saying she is doing a great job as the party’s chief whip.
“There is no letter, there is no petition, in terms of which MPs are calling for the head of the Chief Whip. This is a figment of someone’s imagination,” said Hlophe.
“Quite frankly, I would have been the first person to receive that petition. I asked President Zuma as late as last night. There is no such letter. Comrade Colleen Makhubele remains the Chief Whip. She is very good. She is very effective.”
The party said recent internal changes, including the removal Ndhlela from its whippery, were strategic and administrative, not evidence of factionalism.
Hlophe explained that the MKP is reorienting itself towards legislative impact and preparing constitutional amendments, including a proposed revision of Section 235 of the Constitution, which relates to self-determination.
“We don’t believe South Africa belongs to just anyone who lives here,” Hlophe said.
“You must be a citizen of this country before you can say, ‘I am a South African.’ You can’t visit here for two weeks and say, ‘I love Constantia, I live here now, I must benefit’. We are bringing serious amendments to the Constitution, and that means realignment of internal parliamentary functions.”
Makhubele said the rumours had caused unnecessary disruption and she expressed disappointment at how the matter played out publicly.
“As a new Chief Whip, it’s only been a month, it’s been a very stormy time,” said Makhubele.
“I must say it has also been productive, and I appreciate the full cooperation of all MK Party caucus members. I want to thank President Zuma and the leadership for entrusting me with this responsibility.”
The party is experiencing internal issues related to leadership, discipline, and direction, leading to suspensions and public criticism.
The party that was formed in December 2023 has had seven secretaries-general, while Makhubele is the third chief whip, after Jimmy Manyi and Sihle Ngubane.