The Umkhonto WeSizwe Party (MKP) is once again embroiled in internal turmoil, as fresh divisions have erupted within its KwaZulu-Natal Legislature caucus. The latest conflict stems from allegations that a faction within the party held a parallel caucus meeting without informing key leadership figures, including the party’s official chief whip, Mervyn Dirks.
A confidential letter dated 3 March 2025, written by Dirks and addressed to MKP Secretary-General Floyd Shivambu, exposes the deepening fractures within the party. In the letter, Dirks accuses a group of 19 Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) of sidelining him and forming a breakaway faction. He claims that this group held a meeting on 5 March 2025 without consulting him or the party’s recognized leader in the legislature, Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza.
“I was not informed about this caucus meeting. The meeting proceeded with the former suspended Chief Whip, Kwazi Mbanjwa, and Thobani being part of the discussions,” Dirks wrote.
Dirks, who was appointed chief whip following the suspension of Dr. Kwazi Mbanjwa and Thobani Zuma last year, alleges that this faction no longer recognizes the MKP constitution, the party’s Secretary-General, or its official leadership structures.
“Since the ‘return’ of the three suspended members, we have seen the emergence of a parallel caucus led by the former Chief Whip and commander Thobani,” he stated.
According to Dirks, the faction is pushing for the reinstatement of Mbanjwa and Zuma, effectively dismissing his authority as chief whip. “They only recognize Kwazi Mbanjwa as their chief whip and are demanding that Thobani and others be immediately reinstated,” he wrote.
Dirks further claims that the rebellious faction has called for an urgent meeting with MKP President Jacob Zuma to intervene in the matter. He warns that these developments are part of a coordinated effort to undermine the party’s leadership.
“They have made it clear that they do not recognize the decisions taken by the party’s leadership structures, including the Secretary-General, Head of Presidency, and the Provincial Convenor,” Dirks alleged.
When approached for comment, MKP spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhela said he was unaware of whether Shivambu had responded to Dirks’ letter.
This latest crisis adds to a series of internal battles that have plagued the MKP, raising concerns about the party’s stability ahead of the 2026 elections. With factions pulling in different directions, the party’s leadership faces the daunting task of restoring unity before the divisions escalate further.
The coming days will be critical in determining whether Jacob Zuma and Floyd Shivambu can prevent the MKP from descending into a full-blown crisis or if the party is headed for an internal implosion. As tensions rise, the future of the MKP hangs in the balance, with its ability to maintain cohesion and focus on its political goals under serious threat.
