Former MK party secretary general Floyd Shivambu. (File photo)
The uMkhonto weSizwe party (MK) is again facing pressure from within its ranks to remove secretary general Floyd Shivambu and other leaders.
A top-level leadership overhaul has been proposed in a 29-page strategy document circulating among members. In the document, which the Mail & Guardian has seen, the administration is accused of straying from the party’s founding values.
But Shivambu’s supporters have hit back, saying any calls for his removal can be laid squarely at the feet of “tribalism”.
The document calls for the restructuring of the party’s leadership to reassert its direction.
It proposes Shivambu’s removal as secretary general and recommends that traditional leader and former MK party member of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature, Nduna Phumlani Mfeka, take over the role.
The move against Shivambu is gaining traction among a faction in the MK party aligned with traditional leaders, who believe the party has drifted away from its base in KwaZulu-Natal and its core principles, particularly its respect for traditional leadership.
Mfeka, a close ally of party founder Jacob Zuma, resigned from both the MK party and parliament earlier this year but rejoined this month at the request of senior traditional leaders.
The growing rebellion is not limited to Shivambu. Zuma loyalist Mzwanele Manyi has also emerged as a casualty in the leadership battle, after he was removed as party chief whip on Tuesday for being “incompetent”.
Tensions surrounding Shivambu have been escalating since February, when Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, publicly criticised his leadership in a series of posts on X. She accused him of weakening the party and labelled him “the worst” thing to have happened to the party.
The document criticises what it describes as the growing centralisation of power in the party’s unelected leadership and blames internal feuds on exclusivity and opaque decision-making. It calls for a more inclusive and transparent leadership model that reflects the views of grassroots supporters.
It also wants a shift toward a more open and participatory leadership model, one that reflects a range of perspectives and ensures decisions are made transparently and collectively, in alignment with Zuma’s expectations.
But Shivambu’s sympathisers argue that the discontent against him stems from him not being from KwaZulu-Natal, backed by tribalism in the party.
“One thing about the SG [secretary general] is he is trained for such terrains — he simply doesn’t care about small minds who do not see his value in the party, which is why they are frustrated because President Zuma sees it. Tribalism is a problem in the party, the SG contributes a lot that will help us in the elections,” his supporters said.
But members from the opposition faction argue that his “arrogance” is the reason behind the hostility he faces.
“The man is very arrogant and when he came here he came with a superiority complex and not an attitude to know or understand how we do things, which is the reason behind the opposition he faces … he came with the mindset to take over,” a source said.
The MK party’s top structure includes Zuma, deputy leader John Hlophe, Shivambu, national chairperson Nkosinathi Nhleko, deputy chairperson Sebiloane Mokotjo, deputy secretary general Nombuso Mkhize, treasurer general Mpiyakhe Limba, national organiser Joe Ndhlela, head of the presidency Magasela Mzobe and Nhlamulo Ndhlela as party spokesperson.
None of these officials were formally elected and critics in the party have raised concerns over the legitimacy and accountability of the leadership.
The document recommends a new leadership slate that includes Khanyisile Litchfield-Tshabalala as deputy national chairperson, Khabo Nene as deputy secretary general, and former public protector advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane as treasurer general.
It also calls for the overhaul of the national high command — the party’s highest decision-making body — proposing the inclusion of individuals with experience in “ground forces” and the liberation struggle.
Ndhlela was not available for comment.
The party’s strategy also recommends the creation of a Royal Council to oversee policy documents before they are circulated to lower structures.
Other proposals include the formalisation of the uMkhonto Business Movement, hosting regional consultative conferences and reviving the party’s traditional programmes such as mini-rallies, community clean-ups and meet-and-greet campaigns.
The proposed reforms aim to reposition the party ahead of the 2026 local government elections and re-establish a stronger connection with its grassroots support base.
Financial governance is also addressed in the document. It suggests decentralising control of party finances by allowing provincial structures to manage bank accounts — but only under strict oversight from the treasurer general’s office.
“This should be done with all expenditure reports submitted to the treasurer general’s office and approval given to the province in writing before payments are made. No form of expenditure incurred or to be incurred by the MKP must occur without prior consultation with the treasurer general’s office,” the document says.
This comes after opposition factions expressed dissatisfaction with Shivambu’s alleged financial mismanagement and a perceived lack of accountability.
This coincides with members arguing that Shivambu had cut the salaries of staff members, including cleaners and administrative staff, in KwaZulu-Natal.
In a letter dated 15 March 2025, Shivambu acknowledged delayed salary payments, citing unexpected technical problems and assuring affected employees that the leadership was working urgently to resolve the issue.
Discontent with Shivambu has been increasingly visible on social media, where party members and supporters have openly criticised his leadership.
In April, Shivambu was criticised for his controversial appearance at an Easter church service conducted by Malawian fugitive Shepherd Bushiri, which sparked a rare public rebuke from the party and condemnation from the government.
The incident was seen by many as a lapse in judgment and further eroded Shivambu’s standing in the party.
The MK party, which made a strong showing in KwaZulu-Natal during the 2024 general elections, is under pressure to maintain its momentum and coherence ahead of the next electoral cycle.
But a highly placed source said that although the strategy document outlines bold reforms, its implementation depends on whether Zuma will support the calls for changes to the party’s leadership and direction.
“The growing discontent is loud within the party and president Zuma knows it very well. We are hoping for his support in this quest before elections to also encourage people to work towards us taking over the whole of KwaZulu-Natal,” the source said.
Shivambu did not respond to queries from the M&G.