By Celani Sikhakhane
- Dr Sfiso Maseko resigns as MK secretary general to resume his health department role, marking the sixth resignation from the position this year.
- Tensions in MK rise as members accuse Jacob Zuma of mishandling leadership and finances; some former MPs are suing over forced contributions to Zuma’s account.
The MK party of former president Jacob Zuma has been deserted by its sixth secretary general since its formation early this year.
Dr Sfiso Maseko informed Zuma in a letter dated 29 October that he was stepping down because he is returning to his job as chief director of infrastructure at the Department of Health in Gauteng.
“This is not a decision that came easily but my employment conditions dictate that I should return to my employer,” said Maseko in his resignation letter.
But he made it clear that he is still a full card-carrying member of the MK.
His stepping down comes as another prominent MK member and KZN leader, Name Mohale, decided to resign from the post and quit the party.
He cited tribalism in the party and accused Zuma of failing to protect him from the insults he suffered daily in MK.
Mohale was among the founding members of the party in KwaZulu-Natal after he left the ANC.
He was appointed as MK convener in the province.
He was then removed and replaced by many leaders, including former KZN DG Nhlanhla Ngidi who was also kicked out; Musa Mkhize who was later removed and replaced with another former DG, Dr Kwazi Mbanjwa and now former premier Willies Mchunu.
In another controversy, former MK members are taking the party to court as they complain about the levy that they are forced to pay Zuma.
The former MK MPs have turned to the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg in an urgent bid to attach the bank accounts of the MK party pending a compensation claim they intend to file. This follows the termination of their membership of the party and the National Assembly.
“The applicants, and other members of the MK party in Parliament, were encouraged to donate part of their parliamentary salary from the National Assembly to Mr Zuma’s personal Capitec bank account. Many of the applicants made payments of R10,000 each to Mr Zuma’s private Capitec bank account as a sign of loyalty and on the basis that he would use the funds to run the party democratically in a manner consistent with the interim constitution,” according to the application.
Pictured above: MK Secretary General Dr Sifiso Maseko has resigned as MKP leader and told Zuma that he needs to focus on his full time government job.
Source: X
