By Celani Sikhakhane
- Three founding members of the MK Party in KZN have quit, including a Zulu prince and veteran politician Themba Mavundla.
- The party is losing support in KZN by-elections after its strong showing in the national vote on 29 May.
The MK Party is losing its original members in KwaZulu-Natal as more leaders pack their bags and leave.
Three big names have already walked away from the party that former president Jacob Zuma formed.
At a ceremony in Inanda last week, ANC KZN Chairperson Siboniso Duma announced that political veteran Themba Mavundla, who left the ANC MK Veterans Association for MK Party in 2023, has returned to the ANC.
Prince Bonga Zulu of kwaMandlakazi, who helped the MK Party win support in Nongoma villages, has also quit. His work had helped weaken the IFP’s grip on Nongoma while the ANC lost control it had since 2004. The NFP was also hit hard, keeping just one seat in the KZN Legislature.
Phumlani Mfeka, who leads Injeje yabeNguni, a group that brought traditional leaders to the MK Party before the 29 May elections, has also resigned from his seat in the KZN Legislature.
As the party falls apart, Zuma has warned members about poor discipline and has changed the KZN leadership. He put Willies Mchunu and Lynnette Zwane in charge.
The party is getting ready for the 2026 local elections but is struggling in KZN by-elections, winning just one ward in Mzumbe Municipality on the South Coast.
Many who are leaving agree with Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla that newcomers have taken over the party.
This comes days after Zuma ordered his daughter Duduzile to apologise to party secretary Floyd Shivambu after she insulted him on social media.
A few days later, Duduzile finally said sorry to Shivambu for attacking him after first trying to apologise to everyone except Shivambu. She even said sorry to her father but left out the man she had insulted online.
Pictured above: Founding members of the MK Party in KwaZulu-Natal Themba Mavundla, Phumlani Mfeka and Prince Bonga Zulu of kwaMandlakazi have quit the party.
Image source: KZN Legislature
