Leadership ructions may threaten the MK Party’s electoral prospects

CONTROVERSY and ructions that have impacted the Umkhonto We Sizwe party (MKP) are diminishing its standing in the eyes of the voters.

- THAMI MAGUBANE

This is according to political analysts who were commenting on the party's prospects ahead of the 2026 local government elections.

Analysts said the party is likely to do well as a disruptor, but not as a governing majority party in any municipality.

Party members in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands area also expressed skepticism about the party’s prospects in light of the ongoing challenges, saying factions are beginning to consume the party, and the leadership challenges have weakened the much-needed morale among members heading to the next local government elections.

The party parliamentary leader, John Hlophe, is under suspension for suspending the chief whip, Collen Makhubele, without consulting other leadership structures in the party and at a time when the party leader, Jacob Zuma, was out of the country. When Zuma returned, he overturned the suspension of Makhubele.

In suspending Hlophe, the party said, “This decision is meant to affirm and send a strong message on the principle of collective leadership across all structures within the uMkhonto weSizwe Party.”