MK Party faces crisis as mass resignations shake Gauteng

The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party is facing one of its most significant internal crises, after a group of members called for the disbandment of its national leadership while volunteers in Gauteng announced mass resignations across key regions.

The developments, outlined in documents dated 27 March this year, point to deepening divisions within the party as it prepares for upcoming elections, with allegations of factionalism, internal sabotage and leadership failures emerging from within its ranks.

In a circular addressed to party structures, members questioned the role of senior leaders, including Nathi Nhleko, Tony Yengeni, John Hlophe and Brian Molefe.

“We are confronted with a grave problem,” the letter states. “The conduct of these comrades raises the question: are they here to build uMkhonto weSizwe, or to dismantle it from within?”

The document accuses senior figures of shielding individuals alleged to be undermining the organisation and raises concerns about what it describes as an agenda aimed at weakening the party ahead of the 2026 elections.

“Whose mandate are you serving? It is clear you are not serving the mandate of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party,” the letter reads.

Members also questioned recent internal processes, including regional consultations and leadership selection mechanisms, suggesting they could be used to manipulate internal power dynamics.

“Who are the handlers behind this enemy agenda, an agenda designed to weaken us and cost us the 2026 elections?” the circular asks.

The letter follows a series of party engagements in Gauteng led by Secretary-General Sibonelo Nomvalo, during which leadership structures in the province and regions were dissolved.

“Yesterday, we had a meeting with the provincial detachment in Gauteng and told them they are no longer a structure. Today, we are here in Johannesburg to inform the regional leaders that they are no longer a structure,” Nomvalo said while addressing delegates.

The decision appears to have triggered the wave of resignations.

At the centre of the circular is a set of sweeping demands, including the immediate dissolution of the party’s national leadership and the removal of all deployees in Parliament and provincial legislatures. Members are proposing that provinces and regions be given the authority to nominate replacements.

“As members on the ground, we have taken a sober and revolutionary resolution: the national officials must be disbanded,” the letter states. “This is not only fair, it is the only way to restore integrity and unity.”

The circular further calls for Jacob Zuma to remain as the sole leader of the organisation during what it describes as a “critical juncture,” with all other national structures to be dissolved.

“This is not a request, it is a revolutionary directive from the ground. The survival of uMkhonto weSizwe depends on decisive action. Delay is betrayal,” the letter warns.

The party leadership has not yet publicly responded to the demands.

At the same time, the party is dealing with mass resignations in Gauteng, one of South Africa’s most politically significant provinces.

In a separate letter addressed to Zuma, a collective of volunteers announced their immediate departure from the party, citing disillusionment with internal divisions and a lack of leadership intervention.

“We’re writing to you with heavy hearts, torn apart by the pain of betrayal and abandonment,” the letter states. “Your failure to protect us from the toxic forces tearing our party apart has left us with no choice but to walk away.”

The group confirmed it was stepping down from all activities and responsibilities in Johannesburg, Sedibeng, Ekurhuleni, Tshwane and the West Rand.

In their resignation, the volunteers accused senior figures of fuelling division and weakening the organisation.

“We’ve watched as those who should be safeguarding our movement’s integrity have instead fueled division and chaos,” the letter reads.

They also alleged that some leaders had compromised the organisation during recent by-elections in Gauteng and questioned the loyalty of certain officials, including Nomvalo.

The volunteers said their decision followed repeated attempts to raise concerns internally.

“We cried out for help, but you didn’t hear us. We’ve been left to fend for ourselves against the predators circling our party,” the letter states.

“This wasn’t an easy decision. We loved this party, and we loved you. But your neglect has forced our hand.”

Nomvalo, however, defended the decision to dissolve structures, saying it followed an internal assessment of the party’s readiness for the elections.

“We arrived at that decision in the interest of the organisation. The reality is that if we go to elections without having made decisive interventions, we are going to lose the elections,” he said.

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