SIBONGAKONKE SHOBA | Brace for MK Party instability to reach councils

All the best to the people of KwaZulu-Natal, many of whom are likely to be living in municipalities governed by theMK Partylater this year. Polling predictions suggest Jacob Zuma’s party is poised to seize control of several municipalities after the November 4 local government elections — especially in eThekwini and the Umsunduzi municipality, which includes Pietermaritzburg. It is a reality that many residents in that part of the country need to prepare for and accept, unless of course they vote otherwise.

But the truth is that in KwaZulu-Natal, the MK Party appears to be far ahead of the pack. In fact, even if Zuma were to sit at home and not lift a finger campaigning, the people of KZN would still give the party their votes. It remains one of the biggest mysteries why so many people choose this party, despite overwhelming evidence that it’s no political organisation but rather Zuma’s private property.

However, a large number of people still swear loyalty to the Nkandla outfit. To prove that the MK Party is his personal asset, Zuma recently issued a presidential directive stripping all structures and leaders of their powers and centralising all decision-making in his office. He then assembled a group of 20 MK Party members − known as the strategic presidential team − who will run the party on his behalf.

[paywall]

The team is made up largely of unknowns, except for well-known party-hopperKhanyisile Tshabalalaand former Gauteng government spin-doctor Mandla Sidu. This decision effectively renders the positions of treasurer-general, held by Brian Molefe, and secretary-general Siboniso Nomvalo, redundant. They are now accountable directly to Zuma through the strategic presidential team.

Not only does this group control the finances and the secretariat of the party, but it also has the power to hire and fire party officials at will. It is a move, from the so-called chess player, that has left even his biggest cheerleaders uncertain whether it is some kind of checkmate or merely the shifting of pawns. Either way, it adds to the growing concerns about how this party is being run.

The MK Party has had eight people holding the position of secretary-general since it was founded in December 2023. Molefe is the sixth treasurer-general since its establishment. This instability has been replicated in the party’s lower structures, as well as in parliament and provincial legislatures.

The only constant is Zuma himself, who seems unwilling to trust anyone with running his party. One might sympathise with his reluctance, given the dubious characters the MK Party attracts.

[/paywall]