Turmoil in Jacob Zuma’s MK Party

In a familiar display of party control, former president Jacob Zuma has suspended Dr John Hlophe, the deputy president and parliamentary leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party.

The decision follows Zuma’s intervention to reverse Hlophe’s unilateral attempt to remove Chief Whip Colleen Makhubele and replace her with Des “Weekend Special” van Rooyen.

The drama, which unfolded in less than 24 hours, saw van Rooyen – infamous for his four-day stint as finance minister under Jacob Zuma in 2015 – briefly reclaim the spotlight before being demoted back to the benches.

The precautionary suspension of Hlophe, announced in a press statement late on Wednesday, followed Zuma’s return from Burkina Faso and a briefing on the unauthorised reshuffle, undermining collective leadership.

“The President has taken a decision to issue a precautionary suspension… from both his leadership roles with immediate effect, pending a full investigation on his conduct,” said the MK Party.

Hlophe’s attempt to fire Makhubele, reportedly over alleged misconduct linked to her husband’s company and a failed vetting for Parliament’s intelligence committee, has now been nullified, reinstating her as chief whip.

Van Rooyen’s fleeting appointment marks another chapter in his rollercoaster career tied to Zuma’s political fortunes.

It underscores Zuma’s iron grip on the party, where no one acts without his approval.

MK musical chairs

Formed in December 2023 as Zuma’s anti-ANC vehicle, the MK Party stormed the 2024 elections, securing 14.58% of the vote, mostly in KwaZulu-Natal.

What began as a populist surge has since devolved into a saga of expulsions, family feuds, and factional battles under Zuma’s autocratic hand.

No internal elections have been held; all senior positions are appointed by Zuma, mirroring his presidency’s 132 changes to the national executive.

The latest implosion stems from tensions between Hlophe, an impeached former Western Cape judge president and Makhubele, a former Johannesburg Speaker from the Congress of the People.

Insiders point Hlophe’s frustration over Makhubele’s alleged autocratic conduct and nepotism, including a R180,000 contract for her husband’s firm that led to the suspension, and later reinstatement, of the chief of staff.

Makhubele denies the claims, insisting she passed all vetting.

Leadership chaos

South Africa’s ‘weekend special’ minister’s new gig

Since taking their seats, MKP MPs and members have been caught in a cycle of purges and promotions.

MK Party has had 7 Secretaries-General in under a year, including Floyd Shivambu, and the Chief Whip’s office has also been a particular flashpoints:

• June 2024: Sihle Ngubane, the first appointee, lasted less than two months after early caucus disarray.
• August 2024: Mzwanele Manyi, a former EFF MP and Zuma ally, was removed in May 2025 following internal clashes with party leadership, including Chief Justice John Hlophe.
• May 2025: Colleen Makhubele, the former Johannesburg speaker from COPE, succeeded Manyi but then dismissed in November after allegations of failing a vetting process for an intelligence committee role and facing nepotism allegations.
• November 2025: Des van Rooyen takes over, touted as a “seasoned cadre” capable of restoring order.
• November 2025: Des van Rooyen demoted and Makhubele regains control.

Recently, former key ANC figure and Zuma ally Tony Yengeni was announced as second deputy president of the MK Party.

These rapid changes mirror broader instability within the party. Founder Jabulani Khumalo was expelled months after its formation, while secretary-general Floyd Shivambu was ousted over an unauthorised trip to Malawi.

According to some disgruntled members who spoke to Newsday on condition of anonymity said that at the core of MK’s instability is Zuma himself.

They say that the 83-year-old kingmaker whose “at my discretion” leadership style keeps the party in flux.

Family favoritism fuels divisions, with Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla’s alleged feuds deepening rifts between Zuma loyalists and ex-EFF recruits.

Despite this leadership turmoil, the MK Party said it “remains firmly united and committed to upholding the principles of discipline, accountability and collective decision-making as enshrined in the Party Constitution.”

“This decision should be viewed as a demonstration of the Party’s unwavering commitment to internal party discipline and collective leadership.”

Hlophe became a prominent legal academic and the youngest High Court judge in the country at age 35.

He eventually served as Judge President of the Western Cape Division from 2000 until his impeachment in 2024 for attempting to influence judges in Zuma’s corruption case.

Following his removal as the first post-apartheid judge to be impeached, Hlophe pivoted to politics, becoming the right hand man of Zuma.