Bittersweet Triumph for Zuma’s First Councillor, an ANC Dissenter | News24

Umzumbe Local Municipality former speaker Sibonelo Maphumulo began campaigning for former president Jacob Zuma’s MK Party after being removed by the ANC. (Sibonelo Maphumulo/Facebook)

Umzumbe Local Municipality former speaker Sibonelo Maphumulo led a zero-sum mutiny that weakened the ANC when he and four other councillors joined former president Jacob Zuma’s MK Party (MKP) and contested the recent by-elections in Umzumbe.

But his victory was bittersweet after he lost a senior position in council and three councillors lost their jobs. 

The ANC in Umzumbe has been reduced to 17 seats, which equal the IFP’s 17, and the MKP now has kingmaker status. The by-election was a key test on whether MKP could sustain its astonishing electoral performance.