'Jealous members out to get us'

MK party spokesperson maintains there is a coordinated attack against him and the party president Jacob Zuma’s daughter

- Lunga Mzangwe

Mkhonto weSizwe (MK) party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela has denied allegations of misconduct and fuelling factionalism, saying people are jealous of his close relationship with party president Jacob Zuma.

The party’s constitution stipulates that those in parliament cannot hold other full-time positions but Ndhlela is also a legislator and a member of MK’s “high command”.

Former party leader Jabulani Khumalo and former secretary general Floyd Shivambu are among the party members who have accused Ndhlela and Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, of wielding undue influence over Zuma, purportedly pressuring him to remove people they dislike.

Ndhlela and Sambudla-Zuma have also been accused of being rude to other members. Some party members have pointed fingers at them for being arrogant and thinking they cannot be told what to do.

Although Zuma has removed others accused of similar transgressions in the past, the two have not been disciplined.

In an interview with the Mail & Guardian, Ndhlela said since the formation of the party in December 2023, there had been a coordinated attack on him and Zuma-Sambudla.