uMkhonto weSizwe Party president Jacob Zuma has ordered an investigation into allegations that legitimate councillor candidates were removed from party lists submitted to the Independent Electoral Commission and replaced with other names.

The party announced the investigation on Wednesday, saying the allegations surrounding its recent councillor selection process were serious and required the organisation to establish what had happened.

According to the MK Party, allegations had emerged that some duly nominated candidates were removed from lists submitted to the IEC, while other names were allegedly submitted in their place.

Zuma has described the allegations as serious, saying any manipulation of the candidate selection process would undermine the integrity of the party’s internal processes and the wishes of its structures and members.

The party said there was no place for what it described as manipulation, political gatekeeping or abuse of organisational processes.

“The President and the National Officials of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party have taken note of the grave and deeply disturbing allegations arising from the recent councillor selection process,” national spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu said.

The investigation will seek to establish the facts surrounding the alleged irregularities and determine whether any wrongdoing took place.

The party said disciplinary or other appropriate action would follow if wrongdoing was established, in accordance with its rules and procedures.

As part of the decisions announced by Zuma, Zandile Hlophe-Mkhwanazi and Sibonelo Maphumulo have been removed from the National Party Liaison Committee with immediate effect.

Zuma has also disbanded the Presidential Task Team with immediate effect.

The MK Party said the decisions were taken to safeguard the integrity of its organisational processes and protect the interests of its members, candidates and voters.

The announcement comes as political parties prepare for the 4 November 2026 local government elections, when voters will elect representatives to municipalities across the country.

The party also announced a change to its mayoral candidate for the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.

Apostle Mxolisi Phakathi has been announced as the MK Party’s new mayoral candidate for eThekwini.

The party congratulated Phakathi on his designation and wished him success in the position.

The announcement did not provide details about the circumstances surrounding the change in the eThekwini mayoral candidacy or the identity of the candidate he replaced.

The MK Party also apologised to its business centres and affected structures for the uncertainty and disruption caused by the developments.

Zuma called on members and party structures to move beyond the dispute, unite behind the party’s candidates and campaign for the local government elections.

The developments follow a period of intense contestation among political parties over candidate lists ahead of the municipal elections, with the submission and verification of candidates being a critical part of the electoral process.

The MK Party said its investigation would leave no stone unturned in establishing the truth behind the allegations.

It also praised members who had raised concerns about the candidate selection process, saying their actions had helped bring the allegations to the attention of the party leadership.

No findings of wrongdoing have been made against Hlophe-Mkhwanazi, Maphumulo or any other individual named in the announcement.

The investigation is expected to determine whether the alleged changes to candidate lists occurred, who was responsible and whether any party rules or procedures were breached.

The party said any action arising from the investigation would be taken once the necessary processes had been completed.