By Celani Sikhakhane
- Umkhonto Wesizwe party wants to win Ward 16 in Mtubatuba from the IFP in December’s by-election.
- The party has been gaining momentum by attracting high-profile politicians and hundreds of new members from other parties across KZN.
The Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party wants to prove itself in next month’s KZN by-election after claiming it was cheated in May’s national vote.
They’re fighting for Ward 16 in Mtubatuba on 4 December, where voters will choose someone to replace IFP councillor Qhina Mkhwanazi who died recently.
“This is going to be our big test, but it won’t show what will happen in 2026 because there’s lots of corruption in by-elections,” MK leader Godole Mdletshe told Scrolla.Africa.
The party has chosen Zanele Malinga to run in the ward, which the IFP has held for years under Mkhwanazi, who was once Mtubatuba’s mayor.
MK’s support seems to be growing. They recently won a ward in Umzumbe on the South Coast and gained 400 IFP members from Umlazi. They’ve also attracted big names like former KZN premier Willies Mchunu, ex-EFF chair Dali Mpofu and former EFF MP Busisiwe Mkhwebane.
They even brought in Floyd Shivambu from the EFF, who is now the MK’s secretary general.
Mdletshe says while they’re working hard on this by-election, they’re really focusing on the 2026 local elections.
Pictured above: The MKP will face a serious test at the upcoming Mtubatuba ward 16 by-elections under the new Commander Willies Mchunu.
Source: MKP
