JOHANNESBURG, Friday 23 October 2026 — The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has removed Sibonelo Nomvalo as secretary-general with immediate effect, citing concerns about internal administration, councillor selection and decisions allegedly taken without consulting senior leadership.
The party announced the decision on Thursday evening, less than two weeks before South Africans vote in the 4 November local government elections.
Deputy secretary-general Lindiwe Mtshali has been appointed acting secretary-general.
MK Party cites concerns over internal administration
In a statement issued through the office of party president Jacob Zuma, the MK Party identified several concerns behind Nomvalo’s removal.
These included disputes involving the councillor selection process, internal factionalism, dual remuneration arrangements and delays in distributing election campaign materials.
The party also alleged that changes had been made within its parliamentary caucus and administration without informing Zuma, national officials or the party’s presidency collective.
It further raised concerns about the establishment of senior deployment committees without the knowledge of relevant leadership structures.
The allegations were presented as reasons for the leadership decision.
No independent disciplinary findings establishing misconduct by Nomvalo were made available with the announcement.
Lindiwe Mtshali appointed acting secretary-general
The party confirmed that Mtshali would assume the secretary-general’s responsibilities in an acting capacity.
She will work alongside national chairperson Mxolisi Phakathi to maintain the party’s administrative operations.
National spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu has also been assigned deputy secretary-general functions while retaining his spokesperson responsibilities.
The party instructed its national, provincial, regional and branch structures to cooperate with the new leadership arrangements.
Nomvalo has been requested to assist with an orderly handover.
The statement acknowledged his contribution to the organisation and wished him well.
Leadership change follows councillor selection disputes
The removal comes after months of internal disagreements over the MK Party’s preparations for the municipal elections.
In September, party members protested outside its Durban offices, alleging that councillor candidate lists submitted to the Electoral Commission did not accurately reflect the choices made by local structures.
Those allegations have not been established as findings by the Electoral Commission.
The party also changed its eThekwini mayoral candidate, replacing Zandile Hlophe-Mkhwanazi with Phakathi.
The latest statement specifically identifies concerns surrounding councillor selection among the matters contributing to Nomvalo’s removal.
However, it does not establish that he personally manipulated candidate lists or committed an electoral offence.
Nomvalo appointed in March
Nomvalo became secretary-general in March 2026, replacing Bongani Mncwango, who had occupied the position for approximately seven months.
Mncwango subsequently joined the Inkatha Freedom Party.
Nomvalo’s appointment formed part of a wider leadership restructuring intended to strengthen the MK Party’s organisation ahead of the elections.
He also served as a Member of Parliament and participated in the parliamentary ad hoc committee investigating allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
The MK Party has not announced that Nomvalo’s removal as secretary-general terminates his party membership or parliamentary position.
His continued role in Parliament therefore remains a separate matter from the leadership decision.
Latest change follows earlier internal disputes
Nomvalo previously played a prominent role in disciplinary action involving senior MK Party figures.
In June, he announced the expulsion of Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and former national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela.
The expulsions led to further disagreements about the party’s disciplinary procedures and the authority of its leadership structures.
The party has also experienced several changes involving senior parliamentary and national officials since its formation in December 2023.
In August, Zuma announced another restructuring that included changes to the national chairperson and deputy president positions.
Thursday’s decision continues that pattern of leadership changes.
Electoral preparations face renewed scrutiny
The secretary-general’s office plays a central role in coordinating party structures, administration and communication between different levels of the organisation.
The change therefore comes at a significant stage of the MK Party’s municipal election campaign.
The party is seeking to expand its local government representation, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, where it has established substantial electoral support.
Questions remain about whether Nomvalo will challenge the decision and whether the leadership change will affect outstanding internal candidate disputes.
No response from Nomvalo to Thursday’s announcement was independently confirmed at the time of reporting.
Mtshali and the party’s remaining national officials will now oversee the final stages of election preparations ahead of the 4 November vote.
