CAPE TOWN, Sunday 25 October 2026 — MK Party president Jacob Zuma has ordered the removal of former secretary-general Sibonelo Nomvalo from the party’s parliamentary caucus and instructed parliamentary leader John Hlophe to reverse recent changes to its whip structure.
The directives were contained in letters dated Thursday, 22 October, and became public following Nomvalo’s removal as secretary-general.
The parliamentary intervention represents a further development in the party’s leadership restructuring less than two weeks before the 4 November local government elections.
It also raises questions about Nomvalo’s continued parliamentary status and the authority responsible for making changes within the MK Party’s National Assembly caucus.
Zuma removes Nomvalo from parliamentary caucus
In correspondence addressed to Nomvalo, Zuma confirmed that his removal as secretary-general took immediate effect.
The letter also stated that Nomvalo was being removed from the MK Party’s caucus in the National Assembly.
The decision followed concerns raised by the party about internal administration, councillor selection and changes to parliamentary structures.
These included allegations that Nomvalo had established senior deployment committees without the knowledge of Zuma and other national leaders.
The party also raised concerns about delays in election campaign materials, internal factionalism and possible dual remuneration.
No independent disciplinary findings establishing misconduct by Nomvalo were made available with the announcement.
Parliamentary seat status requires clarification
The MK Party has publicly confirmed Nomvalo’s removal from its parliamentary caucus.
However, the precise status of his National Assembly seat requires clarification.
SABC News reported on Friday, 23 October, that the party had confirmed his removal as a Member of Parliament.
Other reporting reproducing Zuma’s correspondence establishes that he was removed from the party’s caucus but does not provide independent confirmation that the formal parliamentary vacancy process has been completed.
Removal from a party caucus and the termination of a parliamentary seat are legally distinct matters.
The available records reviewed do not establish whether Parliament has formally recorded Nomvalo’s departure from the National Assembly.
Zuma orders parliamentary whip changes reversed
In separate correspondence to Hlophe, Zuma instructed the party’s parliamentary leadership to restore its whip structure to the arrangements that existed before changes made earlier in October.
The directive followed a restructuring announced on 13 October.
That restructuring changed the allocation of parliamentary responsibilities and removed several MPs from existing whip positions.
It also affected the party’s extended parliamentary leadership arrangements.
Zuma instructed Hlophe to ensure that the earlier arrangements were restored through the appropriate party and parliamentary procedures.
The directive does not establish that every administrative change has already been implemented.
Earlier restructuring affected senior MPs
The parliamentary changes announced earlier in October involved several MK Party representatives.
According to reporting by The Witness, the restructuring included the appointment of Emerald Madlala, Sanele Mwali, Pinky Mngadi, Sihle Ngubane and Wesley Douglas to whip positions.
Other MPs, including Visvin Reddy, David Skosana, Zelna Abader and Siyabonga Gama, were removed from positions.
The subsequent directive from Zuma sought to reverse the restructuring.
The party has not publicly provided a complete updated list confirming the final allocation of every whip responsibility following the reversal.
The outcome will depend on implementation by the parliamentary caucus and the relevant administrative structures.
Hlophe retains parliamentary leadership role
Zuma’s letter reaffirmed Hlophe’s position as the MK Party’s parliamentary leader.
The former president emphasised that changes affecting parliamentary leadership should be undertaken through the appropriate organisational channels.
He also indicated that Hlophe retained his confidence.
The intervention follows earlier disputes over parliamentary appointments and the authority of party officials to make changes without consulting national leadership.
Hlophe has previously been involved in disagreements concerning the appointment and removal of parliamentary whips.
The latest directive therefore seeks to clarify the party’s internal decision-making arrangements.
Councillor selection concerns remain unresolved
Nomvalo’s removal comes amid continuing disputes within the MK Party over preparations for the municipal elections.
In September, members protested against candidate lists submitted to the Electoral Commission of South Africa.
Some members alleged that candidates selected by local structures had been replaced or excluded.
Those allegations have not been established as findings by the IEC.
The MK Party identified concerns about councillor selection among the reasons for Nomvalo’s removal.
However, the party has not publicly established that he personally manipulated candidate lists or committed an electoral offence.
Leadership changes ahead of elections
Nomvalo became secretary-general in March 2026.
His removal followed several earlier changes in the party’s senior leadership since its formation in December 2023.
Lindiwe Mtshali has been appointed acting secretary-general.
National spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu has also been assigned additional deputy secretary-general responsibilities.
The changes come as the party prepares to contest municipal elections across South Africa.
The MK Party is seeking to expand its representation in local government, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, where it emerged as the largest party in the 2024 provincial elections.
The secretary-general’s office and parliamentary caucus both play important roles in coordinating the party’s political and administrative activities.
Implementation and parliamentary status awaited
The immediate questions concern the implementation of Zuma’s parliamentary directives and Nomvalo’s formal status in the National Assembly.
The party must also complete the transition to its acting secretary-general while continuing its election campaign.
Any challenge by Nomvalo to the decisions could result in further internal or legal proceedings.
No such challenge was independently confirmed in the reporting reviewed.
The parliamentary restructuring represents a separate institutional consequence of the leadership dispute and will require further clarification from the party and Parliament.
