Phadi calls for immediate suspension of John Hlophe amid allegations of sexual favours.

By Lehlohonolo Lehana.

Former Mpumalanga Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party convenor Mary Phadi has called for the immediate suspension of party’s Deputy president John Hlophe.

Phadi accuses Hlophe of making unwanted sexual advances. She insists that, since the matter is now public, she is ready to face legal action.

Speaking on Newzroom Afrika, Phadi says she stand by her truth.

In a letter circulating on social media, she alleges she was vilified and victimised after rejecting him.

As a woman, I am being vilified and victimised since I refused to give in to his attempts of spending the night with him as favours,” she wrote.

“On August 4th, 2024, he sent a text with the effect of 22:54 on that day after we had a leadership meeting in Nelspruit. My refusal and unresponsiveness was the diplomatic drive to manage the situation.”

Phadi alleges that weeks after turning down his amatory advances, the leader used his influence to engineer her removal as provincial convener and MPL in a rushed and irregular process that defied the party’s own constitution.

“I feel that the persistent vilification and continued propaganda against me is a consequence of my refusal to give in to his advances. This is manufactured behind the scenes by him.”

In November, the MK Party fired Phadi for alleged mismanagement of funds and hatching an assassination plot against her rival in the party. However, in December, the Mpumalanga High Court ruled in her favour.

The court ordered Phadi to be reinstated as the convenor in the province and as a member of the Mpumalanga legislature and party leader in the legislature. Instead, the MK Party appointed former Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) member of Parliament Busisiwe Mkhwebane.

Mkhwebane was appointed the convener, with Charles Masombuka the deputy convenor, AB Mkhatshwa the coordinator, Dr Nelisiwe Msibi the deputy coordinator, Skhwameni Nkuna the organiser, Njabulo KaChibi the deputy organiser, Donald Maphanga the fundraiser and Mbalenhle Masinga being the deputy fundraiser.

Mkhwebane noted that the current leadership structure and future direction rest with the high command and the national president.

“The president appointed me along with the detachment to stabilise the province and lead the way forward,” she said. “The task teams and decisions made prior to my appointment have been concluded, and now it’s time to move forward.”

Regarding Phadi’s legal battle, Mkhwebane states that the matter is still under legal review, with the party’s constitution guiding its decisions.

“When you take the organisation to court, you automatically dismiss yourself from the party. It’s a violation of the party’s constitution,” she said.

MK Party shocked the country in the May 29, 2024 national and provincial elections after securing the third spot and beating the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to the fourth place. The party got 14.58% electoral support nationally.

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