Zuma-Sambudla's alleged influence on Shivambu's MKP demotion

ALLEGATIONS within the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) are that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla might have influenced her father, Jacob Zuma, to demote Floyd Shivambu as the secretary-general without substance of wrongdoing.

- BONGANI HANS

A prominent party leader in KwaZulu-Natal, who was known to be close to Shivambu, said there was still no love lost between Zuma-Sambudla and Shivambu, and that she only apologised under duress for what she said about him on social media earlier this year.

"There is this issue between him and Duduzile, which has not died down, and we don't know what she tells Nxamalala as his father when they are at home," the leader said.

Zuma-Sambudla apologised four months ago following her utterances to Shivambu after she was threatened with expulsion from the party.

Among what she said was that Shivambu was the worst thing that has happened to the MK Party and added F**K and called him umafikizolo (newcomer).

Zuma-Sambudla's apology was directed only to Zuma and the MK Party, omitting Shivambu.

Shivambu said Zuma was surrounded by political scoundrels who take advantage of his kindness and age to influence him in the wrong direction and to steal the party's money.

He said he would not comment on the views that the MKP was run by the family.

Zuma-Sambudla and MKP spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela did not respond to a request for comment.