By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) party president Jacob Zuma has appointed Joe Ndhlela, a convicted fraudster, as the national organiser of party.
The MK party said Zuma in consultation with the party’s national high command appointed Ndhlela as the national organiser with “immediate effect.”
“Commander Ndhlela joined the MK Party on 16 December 2023 as a volunteer. He assisted with the capturing of the signatures of members in compliance with IEC legislative prescripts, for MK Party to qualify for the 2024 national elections. He was also instrumental in the development of both the National Elections Strategic Framework and the training manual for party agents. As of April 2024 he was serving in the capacity of chief operations officer for the MK Party, “the party said.
“Commander Ndhlela will assume the roles and responsibilities of the National Organiser as prescribed by the Constitution of the MK Party. The Party wishes Commander Ndhlela well as he picks up the spear and assumes this important role,” it said.
Ndhlela, former Premier Soccer League (PSL) chief executive was convicted by Regional Court magistrate Willem van Wyk to three years imprisonment for crimes committed during his tenure at Transnet.
Ndhlela committed fraud between February 1993 and late 1996, and the Companies Act contravention was committed between November 1994 and August 1997.
The crimes were committed during his tenure at Transnet and led to him leaving the PSL, under a cloud.
Ndhlela resigned from the African National Congress (ANC) after being a member for 40 years and joined the Patriotic Alliance (PA).
He claimed the party’s president, Gayton McKenzie, advanced more the interests of a “small clique of coloureds” and individuals who are close to him.
Ndhlela submitted his resignation to McKenzie on November 1.
Ndhlela countered the claims, revealing that McKenzie had offered him a stipend of R65 000 for the job as a special adviser but has not paid him since he assumed office.