By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) Member of Parliament, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, has issued a public apology to her father, Jacob Zuma, and the party’s leadership over her recent social media rant aimed at party’s general secretary Floyd Shivambu.
In the series of angry tweets, Zuma-Sambudla suggested that the secretary-general of the party was the “worst thing” to have happened to the party. She described him as “useless”. She also posted “Fuck you Floyd”, although she did not tag Shivambu in any of her messages.
Her remarks were followed by a statement from her father and party leader ordering her to apologise for bringing the party into disrepute.
In her apology letter, she maintains that she holds strong opinions regarding Shivambu’s role in the party, but acknowledges that she should have expressed these views through internal channels.
“While I hold strong and personal views, including serious concerns about internal party matters, my perceptions of how certain issues may be handled within the organisation, especially by the Party’s Secretary General, I fully recognise that such concerns should have been, and shall be addressed through the proper internal channels, as dictated by the core values and principles of the glorious movement of the people.
“I acknowledge that expressing these grievances publicly was unfortunate and may have undermined the unity, discipline, and respect that defines the MK Party,” said Zuma-Sambudla.
She expressed her commitment to upholding the party’s values and ideals.
“To President Jacob Zuma of the MK Party, the entire leadership, members, supporters of the MKP, and the people of South Africa, I wish to assure you that I never intended to harm the integrity of the party or the values it upholds. Hence, my deepest apology for any offence caused in this regard,” she wrote.
Shivambu has been at the centre of controversy within the party, with some regions calling for his removal due to concerns over his leadership style and decision-making.