New chief whip for MK amid leadership rift

Mzwanele Manyi has been replaced by Colleen Makhubele. By Nonkululeko Njilo

- By Nonkululeko Njilo

When the uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party was formed in December 2023 without clear policies or a defined leadership structure, just five months before the general elections, it was expected that it would face challenges. Seventeen months later, leadership struggles persist.

The party removed Mzwanele Manyi as its chief whip on Tuesday, 27 May, less than a year after he took up the position.

Party deputy president and caucus leader John Hlophe, in a letter to Manyi, said: "I am writing to inform you that, with immediate effect, you are hereby relieved of your duties... This decision was made with careful consideration and in the interest of advancing the collective goals and objectives of our party."

Manyi's removal comes three months after he and Hlophe were at loggerheads and even became physical over a speech delivered by the latter during the debate on the State of the Nation Address (Sona). At the time of the incident, some party members claimed Hlophe was set up by being given a poorly crafted speech at the last minute after he had long prepared his address.