The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has expelled President Jacob Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, and former party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela with immediate effect, in a dramatic move that underscores growing internal tensions within South Africa’s fastest-growing opposition party.

The announcement was made by MK Party Secretary-General Sibonelo Nomvalo during a media briefing on Thursday, where party leaders outlined preparations for the upcoming local government elections while also taking decisive action against what they described as factionalism and conduct that undermined organisational discipline.

The expulsions mark one of the most significant disciplinary actions taken by the party since its formation and are likely to reverberate through MK Party structures across the country.

In a statement issued after the briefing, MK Party national spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu said the decision followed a detailed assessment by the party’s National Officials of the conduct of both Zuma-Sambudla and Ndhlela.

“The National Officials have carefully considered the seriousness, extent and cumulative impact of the conduct outlined above. Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and Nhlamulo Ndhlela have acted in a manner fundamentally inconsistent with the values, discipline, constitutional principles and organisational interests of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party,” said Mahlangu.

The party accused Zuma-Sambudla of repeatedly undermining organisational unity through public statements and social media posts that challenged party decisions and leadership structures.

According to the statement, her actions promoted factional narratives, publicly discredited recognised leadership structures and brought internal organisational matters into the public domain.

“The Party has noted repeated public statements and social media publications that have undermined organisational unity, promoted factional narratives, publicly discredited recognised Party leadership structures, challenged the legitimacy of Party decisions and brought internal organisational matters into the public domain,” Mahlangu said.

The MK Party further accused Zuma-Sambudla of participating in activities outside officially sanctioned party programmes, saying such actions created confusion among members and supporters regarding the party’s official positions and programmes.

The organisation said these actions encouraged factionalism, created competing centres of influence and weakened internal discipline.

Ndhlela, who previously served as one of the party’s most visible public representatives, was accused of acting without proper organisational authority and misrepresenting official party positions.

According to the MK Party, he convened and addressed media briefings without approval from recognised party structures, participated in unauthorised activities and created confusion regarding official leadership arrangements.

“The Party has identified conduct that includes acting without proper organisational authority, convening and addressing media briefings without the approval of recognised Party structures, misrepresenting Party positions and structures, and participating in activities outside authorised Party programmes,” Mahlangu said.

At the centre of the dispute is the controversy surrounding the illness and subsequent death of MK Party Member of Parliament Muzi Ntshingila.

The party said Zuma-Sambudla and Ndhlela involved themselves in matters relating to Ntshingila’s healthcare and allegedly facilitated his transfer to another medical facility without the knowledge of his family.

“The Party notes that neither individual had any authority to involve themselves in matters relating to Ntshingila’s illness or to separate him from his family,” said Mahlangu.

The party further alleged that concerns had been raised regarding the removal of Ntshingila’s personal belongings from his parliamentary residence without the family’s knowledge.

Following complaints from the Ntshingila family, MK Party Parliamentary Leader Dr John Hlophe reportedly instructed both Zuma-Sambudla and Ndhlela not to attend funeral proceedings and to refrain from making public statements, commentary or social media posts relating to the deceased.

The party says those instructions were ignored.

“Despite these clear instructions, both members failed to comply with the directive. Zuma-Sambudla subsequently participated in social media commentary relating to the deceased,” the statement said.

The MK Party described the conduct as insensitive and disrespectful to a grieving family.

“As a Party, we extend our deepest apologies to the Ntshingila family for any distress caused during this difficult period,” Mahlangu said.

The party maintained that the conduct of both individuals represented a direct challenge to organisational authority and further aggravated divisions within the movement at a sensitive time.

The expulsions were implemented under provisions of the MK Party constitution that grant party president Jacob Zuma authority to issue binding directives on matters relating to the operation, administration and policy direction of the organisation.

“Accordingly, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party hereby announces the expulsion of Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and Nhlamulo Ndhlela from the Party with immediate effect. Their membership of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party is hereby terminated, and they shall no longer enjoy any rights, privileges, responsibilities or authority associated with membership of the organisation,” said Mahlangu.

The announcement came as the party sought to project unity and stability ahead of the forthcoming local government elections.

Nomvalo said preparations for the elections were progressing through regional and provincial election task teams and confirmed that the party would release its nominations framework and election guidelines as part of its candidate selection process.

The MK Party also confirmed its support for the planned 30 June march calling for stricter enforcement of immigration laws and the removal of undocumented immigrants from South Africa.

While backing the protest, the party emphasised that participants must act within the law.

“The Party condemns any acts of violence, intimidation, destruction of property, looting or criminality that may arise during the course of the march,” said the party.

It further warned members against establishing parallel structures and programmes after some members participated in an alternative Youth Day event in Limpopo.

“The Party will not hesitate to act decisively against factionalism, parallel structures and any conduct that undermines organisational unity, discipline and cohesion,” Mahlangu said.

Despite the high-profile expulsions, party leaders insisted the organisation remained united under Zuma’s leadership and focused on preparing for the local government elections.

“The Party remains steadfast in defending its constitutional order and ensuring that all members are held accountable to the same standards of conduct,” said Mahlangu.

The expulsion of Zuma-Sambudla, one of the party’s most recognisable figures and the daughter of its founder, is expected to intensify scrutiny of internal power struggles within the MK Party and could have significant implications for the organisation as it prepares to contest its first local government elections.