The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has announced the appointment of convicted fraudster Joe Ndhlela as its national organiser.
Ndhlela, the father of MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela, steps into the role following the elevation of Floyd Shivambu to the position of secretary-general.
NDHLELA’S NEW ROLE IN THE MK PARTY
In a statement, the party’s head of presidency, Magasela Mzobe, confirmed that party leader Jacob Zuma appointed Ndhlela to the position in consultation with the party’s national high command, its highest decision-making body.
Ndhlela, who joined the MK Party as a volunteer on December 16, 2023, has played a significant role in developing the party’s national strategic framework and training manual for party agents. Since April 2024, he has served as the party’s chief operations officer.
A HISTORY OF FRAUD AND CONTROVERSY
Joe Ndhlela’s appointment has sparked public scrutiny due to his criminal record. In 2002, he was sentenced to prison terms of 15, 12, and 9 months on three counts of being an accomplice to fraud during his time at Transnet.
Reports detail that Ndhlela committed fraud between 1993 and 1996 and violated the Companies Act between 1994 and 1997. One of the schemes involved a funeral policy for Transnet employees, where Ndhlela received R682,520 in commission.
Adding to his profile, Ndhlela is the brother of former SARS commissioner Tom Moyane, tying him to another prominent political figure.
FROM ANC TO PATRIOTIC ALLIANCE TO MK PARTY
Joe Ndhlela’s political journey has been diverse and eventful. After 40 years as a member of the African National Congress (ANC), he resigned in February 2021.
Shortly after, he joined the Patriotic Alliance (PA) under Gayton McKenzie and Kenny Kunene but resigned in November 2023. In his resignation letter, Ndhlela expressed dissatisfaction with what he described as a “small clique” within the PA advancing a narrow agenda favoring coloured individuals close to the party presidency.
Now, as part of the MK Party, his appointment signals both a controversial shift and a renewed role in South African politics under the leadership of Jacob Zuma.