MK Party provincial convenor Busisiwe Mkhwebane left followers stunned after an emotional TikTok live video on Tuesday night, where she tearfully described the party’s Mpumalanga structure as a “cult.”
Mkhwebane, who now appears to be at her breaking point within the Umkhonto Wesizwe Party, spoke about feelings of isolation, manipulation, and emotional abuse allegedly coming from the party’s provincial leadership.
“This is not what I signed up for,” Mkhwebane said during the live stream. “It feels like a cult. You are either controlled or cast out. I have no voice here. I’m not safe.”
The video quickly went viral, drawing strong reactions on social media, including from former allies in the EFF. Some expressed concern, while others appeared amused by her situation.
“She needs to be rescued… lol,” one prominent EFF supporter posted on X (formerly Twitter). “I know she left us saying she needed a challenge, but what they’re doing to her is too much!”
Others were more sympathetic. “Should we forgive her, Fighters?” another user asked, tagging senior EFF figures. “She’s clearly not okay.”
Mkhwebane joined the MK Party during its rapid rise under former president Jacob Zuma, leaving the EFF’s red beret for the new party’s black and gold colors. However, internal conflicts—particularly in Mpumalanga, where factionalism is strong—seem to have taken a toll on her.
A political analyst noted that Mkhwebane’s breakdown offers “a glimpse into the toxic internal politics” of new and populist parties. “Her experience raises serious questions about the treatment of women in these spaces,” the analyst added.
As of Wednesday morning, Mkhwebane had not issued any formal statement. MK Party officials in Mpumalanga declined to comment, and the national leadership has remained silent.
Whether the EFF will welcome back their former member remains uncertain. One thing is clear: the “challenge” Mkhwebane sought has turned into a very public ordeal.