Latest news with #NhlamuloNdhlela
The Herald
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
‘Nkabane epitomised political arrogance': Parties welcome former minister's axing
'One Nkabane does not a renewed ANC make. There is a very long list of ANC corruption to be eradicated.' The MK Party (MKP) said the move was necessary and long overdue. 'The former minister's failure to account for the irregular and unlawful allocation of the Seta board positions raised serious questions about the government of national unity's governance, their lack of transparency and the severe political interference that has become characteristic of the former liberation movement,' said MKP spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela. 'It was evident the appointments disproportionately favoured individuals with strong ties to the ANC, a pattern that cannot be ignored in a constitutional democracy such as South Africa.' The ANC expressed confidence in the new leadership of Manamela and Dube-Ncube. 'The ANC is confident the new leadership team will advance access, equity, and quality in the higher education sector,' said ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu. 'We extend our gratitude to Nkabane for her service and wish her well in her future endeavours. The appointments reaffirm our commitment to a capable, ethical and developmental state.' Rise Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi also welcomed Nkabane's removal, citing her alleged misconduct in parliament. 'Nkabane epitomised political arrogance and showed an unrepentant disregard for what it means to be in service to the people of South Africa. While she no longer serves as a member of the executive, she must be held accountable by the joint committee on ethics and members' interests for misleading parliament and the people of South Africa.' ActionSA said Nkabane's tenure as minister was marked by 'failure, scandal and neglect'. It said: 'Her attempt to bury parliamentary questions under 800 pages of bureaucratic nonsense concealed, among other things, an R11.2m departmental travel spree.' TimesLIVE
IOL News
03-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Power struggles, but still power surging: MK Party confident of victory despite ongoing tensions
MK Party leader, Jacob Zuma Image: MK Party/Facebook Despite ongoing internal spats, the Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) Party continues to punch above its weight, as party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela asserts. He further expressed that the party has shelved its plans to become the official opposition party in, and is rather focused on its course to being the ruling party in South Africa. Speaking to Newzroom Afrika this week, Ndhlela said if there's one thing that the MK Party, established in December 2023, needs to be commended on, it is that in the space of six months, it has received an overwhelming response from South Africans. Nhlamulo Ndhlela Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers Fastest-growing "South Africans believe in us. South Africans continue to believe in us. Now, our party status is that we are the fastest-growing political party in the country, let's not forget that. "Secondly, the majority of the Members of Parliament are below the age of 50, and the majority of them have never been in Parliament. We are, in fact, punching above our weight, contrary to whatever other people may be saying," he said. Ndhlela said the party welcomes the scrutiny by the public because it's that what helps them grow. "No one can say that Umkhonto Wesizwe's presence is not felt in Parliament," he said. Floyd Shivambu Image: Facebook / MK Party Recent incidents This week, Eugene Ndlangamandla, regional coordinator of the MK Party in the Umkhanyakude district in northern KwaZulu-Natal, reportedly tendered his resignation. In a letter to the party, he stated that he has observed unfair treatment. "MKP seems to operate more like a family and friends business rather than a political party to liberate black people. I have noticed a lack of discipline among members," he said. Ndlangamandla said he will be joined Shivambu's Mayibuye Consultation Team. In recent weeks, the party has been hit with several challenges, including the alleged use of its Parliamentary leader, John Hlophe's electronic email signature to issue a letter removing Ndhlela from the party's whippery, and referring to the party president's daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, as rude. Ndhlela has also reportedly filed a R3 million defamation lawsuit against former MK Party Secretary-General Floyd Shivambu who accused Ndhlela of using drugs and alcohol. On Wednesday, IOL reported that while Shivambu remains a member of the party, his actions will be reviewed. There have also been calls for the party's Parliamentary Whip, Colleen Makhubele's, removal. IOL reported that the party's Parliamentary caucus wants the newly-appointed chief whip to be shown the door amid claims that she makes unilateral and undemocratic decisions, betrays party ideology - particularly in relation to her stance on Israel - and demonstrates poor leadership. Last month, nine new MPs were sworn in following axing of several MPs last year. Instability Speaking to IOL, independent political analyst Goodenough Mashego, said the turnover within the party's senior leadership centred around Zuma's whims. He added that Zuma was looking for a SG of a particular calibre. "It's not the party's membership that determines that. Skills and popularity with members don't matter; what matters is who Zuma wants." Political analyst Ntsikelelo Breakfast said conflict is natural. "These problems are not going to grow legs and go away by itself," he said in an interview with eNCA. Breakfast added that a strategy that the MK Party can employ, is to have democratic processes in place that will help to de-escalate some of the tensions within the party. Path to power Responding to a question about the strength of the party, Ndhlela shrugged off the question about 'bad sentiments' about the party. Instead, he said that if there are changes made within the MK Party, it is to make the party stronger. "We can't be stopped from doing that. Changes are changes; there is nothing wrong with changes. "It is important that we adapt to the pulse of the nation. That is what is important: being able to adapt and be flexible. We are focusing on our work. We are the incoming government. We are not focusing on being the official opposition. We are focusing on being in government. It's a path to power," he said. [email protected] IOL
The Herald
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
Hlophe calls Duduzile, Ndhlela 'disruptive, disrespectful' in letter to Zuma
The MK Party caucus in parliament has been rocked by internal battles that this week led to the party's deputy president, Dr Mandlakayise (John) Hlophe, writing a letter of complaint to Jacob Zuma. In the letter to Zuma, Hlophe tears into Zuma's daughter Duduzile Sambudla-Zuma and party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela for what he says is unruly conduct in party caucus meetings. Hlophe tells Zuma how the duo have been disrupting caucus meetings with Ndhlela hurling insults at newly appointed chief whip Colleen Makhubele and is unwilling to accept that he has been removed from the party's whippery in parliament. Sambudla-Zuma is accused of causing 'chaos' in the meetings. The letter to Zuma follows calls for Makhubele to step down as the chief whip of the MK Party just barely a month into the job, citing poor leadership qualities. In his letter to Zuma, Hlophe suggests that Ndhlela has been deliberately undermining the authority of Makhubele. According to Hlophe, Ndhlela has insulted Makhubele, claiming that required 'political education' over her decision to remove him the whippery team. 'Commander Ndhlela has consistently insulted the chief whip, in some instance labelling her a 'political novice and newcomer' to the political landscape,' wrote Hlophe in a letter dated June 26. 'This tirade was not only disrespectful but also a direct attack on the authority of the chief whip and the party leader, as the removal letter bore my signature as party leader ... His actions reflect a deliberate attempt to usurp the authority of the chief whip and disrupt the unity of the caucus.' During the same whippery team meeting last week, Sambudla-Zuma allegedly interrupted the sitting 'creating unnecessary chaos and disregarding repeated cautions to wait her turn'. Hlophe said he intervened and took over the meeting upon realising the disregard for Makhubele's authority. Despite his attempts, Hlophe said this did not seem to deter Sambudla-Zuma who continued to interrupt him 'repeatedly, displaying unruly behaviour that required reprimanding'. 'She noisily rose from her seat, grabbed her belongings, and exclaimed, 'Are we not done?' before sitting down when she realised no-one had followed her,' said Hlophe. Hlophe said in the letter to Zuma that the duo's actions were in contravention of the party's constitution and disciplinary code of conduct. 'These challenges require immediate intervention to restore unity, efficiency and adherence to the revolutionary ethos of the MK Party. I trust that you will provide guidance and support in addressing these matters and ensuring accountability at all levels of the organisation,' said Hlophe. 'I remain committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to advance the MK Party's transformative agenda. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require further details or wish to discuss these issues in greater depth.' Ndhlela told TimesLIVE that he had only seen this letter circulating on social media. He said when he confronted Hlophe about it 'he said his signature has been abused'. The drama unfolding in the party comes on the backdrop of musical chairs over positions that have become synonymous with the party since its establishment in December 2023. The MK Party has had six secretary generals; most recently Floyd Shivambu was removed from the position. In parliament, Mzwanele Manyi, who is said to be a close Zuma confidant, was unceremoniously removed as the party's chief whip in parliament and replaced with Makhubele. Barely a month into the job, there are fresh calls for Makhubele to also vacate that position. The letter purporting to be from the MK Party caucus accuses Makhubele of being a 'threat to the unity, efficiency and credibility of our caucus'. It accuses Makhubele of deploying an 'autocratic and exclusionary' style of leadership and taking decisions without consultations. 'Makhubele's conduct has alienated members, eroded trust, and compromised the integrity of our caucus,' the letter reads, calling for her immediate removal as chief whip. When asked for comment, Ndhlela said: 'I saw it for the first time when I received it from a journalist, unfortunately I can't comment on caucus matters.'
The South African
27-06-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Sorry, not sorry? Floyd Shivambu apologises over 'drugs' allegations
Floyd Shivambu has issued a back-handed apology to MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela, whom he accused of abusing drugs and alcohol. The former secretary-general made a public apology after he was served with a legal letter of demand and another to appear in court for defamation. At a press conference last week, Floyd mentioned another MK Party member – supposedly Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla – who he claimed 'took drugs and tweeted at night'. He has since claimed that his comments were not directed at her. Speaking at the Mayibuye Consultation Process dialogue on Friday, 27 June, Floyd Shivambu addressed his comments about his fellow MK Party colleague. 'I must unconditionally retract the statements about drug use and alcohol abuse of Nhlamulo Ndhlela'. However, he added, 'But we take this opportunity to encourage all the people of South Africa to stay away from drugs and alcohol. If they are members of parliament or leaders of different political parties. 'Drugs will never build you, they will make a lot of mistakes'. Floyd Shivambu's apology comes hours after Nhlamulo Ndhlela posted a screenshot of his court summons over his claims of defamation. On Wednesday, Nhlamulo posted a letter of demand addressed to Floyd, demanding a public apology, retraction of comments, and a warning to cease defamatory comments. In an interview with eNCA earlier this week, Floyd Shivambu took aim at Nhlamulo Ndhlela, whom he labelled a 'imbecile' and a 'foolish leader of the MK Party'. He said: 'He's [Ndhlela] always on drugs and always high on alcohol in terms of how he deals with issues.' Floyd also accused Nhlamulo of spreading misinformation about him. He continued: 'He will use the otherwise very gullible and directionless daughter of President Zuma, who has front-row access to him by virtue of being his daughter.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
eNCA
27-06-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
Shivambu retracts Nhlamulo Ndhlela drug use allegations
MK party's Nhlamulo Ndhlela JOHANNESBURG - Former Umkhonto Wesizwe Party Secretary-General, Floyd Shivambu, has publicly apologised to MK Party's spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela. During an exclusive interview with eNCA, he called Ndhlela a liar, a drunk and a drug addict. Shivambu's apology comes after Ndhlela sent a letter of demand for the remarks made against him. He proceeded to sue Shivambu for defamation and posted a High Court summons on his X (former Twitter) account. High Court Case - Combined Summons - Nhlamulo Ndhlela ( Applicant) & Nyiko Floyd Shivambu (Defendant)- CASE NO: 2025-099301 — Nhlamulo Swabihi Ndhlela Ntukulu Wa Ka Moyane (@NhlamuloNdhlela) June 27, 2025 Apart from the summons, Ndhlela also shared his drug screening results, which came back negative. As we observe #Drug &AlcoholAwarenessWeek, let's note that abuse is not 's a scourge that destroys our youth, shatters families, and weakens the very foundation of our society. Say NO to making light of drug abuse and YES to saving lives #SayNoToDrugs — Nhlamulo Swabihi Ndhlela Ntukulu Wa Ka Moyane (@NhlamuloNdhlela) June 24, 2025 Shivambu retracted the statement accusing Ndhlela of alcohol and drug abuse while announcing members of the Mayibuye National Consultation Team in Johannesburg. "Part of the guidance from my team, which I agreed with, is that I must unconditionally retract the statements about drug use and alcohol abuse of Nhlamulo Ndhlela - unconditionally."
