Ruckus in MK party

ABOUT-TURN: ZUMA SUSPENDS DEPUTY PRESIDENT AFTER CHIEF WHIP AXED >>> Leader reinstates Makhubele to previous position.

- Itumeleng Mafisa

COMPROMISED. John Hlophe, parliamentary leader of uMkhonto weSizwe, says he will resign following his suspension but at the time of going to press, he had not done so. Picture: Gallo Images

(Gallo Images)

With just months until the local government elections, the third-biggest political party in South Africa appears to be imploding.

On Tuesday night, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party announced changes to its parliamentary team, the most notable being the removal of Colleen Makhubele as chief whip and the appointment of Des van Rooyen to replace her.

Makhubele was also removed from the party's media WhatsApp group.

However, in a dramatic turn of events, party president Jacob Zuma then suspended his deputy president John Hlophe. He also reinstated Makhubele.

MK party's head of presidency Magasela Mzobe said Zuma first learnt of the changes to the parliamentary caucus on his return from Burkina Faso.

"The president has taken a decision to issue a precautionary suspension to the party's deputy president and the leader of the MK party's parliament caucus, John Hlophe, from both his leadership roles with immediate effect, pending an investigation of his conduct.