A covert meeting allegedly involving Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of MK Party leader Jacob Zuma, with EFF leader Julius Malema and secretary-general Marshall Dlamini has sparked political intrigue amid growing divisions within South Africa’s youngest political movement. While neither faction has officially acknowledged the discussions, sources suggest the talks may be connected to deepening power struggles within the MK Party.
The MK Party, launched in December 2023, has faced internal turmoil since former EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu assumed the secretary-general role in November 2024. His controversial reforms – including staff salary reductions, contract terminations, and the recruitment of EFF-aligned figures like advocates Dali Mpofu and Busisiwe Mkhwebane – have drawn sharp criticism from party traditionalists. Zuma-Sambudla, though holding no official position, has emerged as Shivambu’s most vocal critic, accusing him of betraying the party’s founding values.
Reliable sources indicate the Pretoria meeting may represent Zuma-Sambudla’s attempt to counter Shivambu’s growing authority. The president’s daughter, currently facing incitement charges related to the 2021 unrest, previously clashed publicly with Shivambu, calling him a “political newcomer” before being compelled by her father to retract the statement.
The EFF’s potential involvement adds complexity to the situation. Malema, who previously rejected Zuma’s proposal to absorb the EFF into the MK Party, may be positioning his party to benefit from the MK’s instability. This comes as Shivambu continues to recruit former EFF members, creating resentment among long-standing MK cadres who feel marginalized.
MK Party officials have dismissed the meeting as “unfounded speculation,” while EFF representatives have maintained silence. However, a Gauteng-based MK insider revealed: “Duduzile sees Shivambu as obstructing her political ambitions. Engaging with the EFF could be a strategic play to regain control.”
The party’s KwaZulu-Natal structures remain deeply divided, with recent suspensions of Zuma-aligned legislators over financial irregularities exacerbating tensions. Former loyalist Phumlani Mfeka, who resigned in protest, stated: “This organization has strayed far from its original mission.”
With the MK Party holding 14% of parliamentary seats after the 2024 elections, its internal stability carries national implications. The conflict between Shivambu’s institutional reforms and Zuma-Sambudla’s populist approach reflects broader ideological battles reshaping South Africa’s opposition landscape.
As the 2026 local elections approach, the MK Party faces a critical test: either reconcile its warring factions or risk becoming consumed by them. The shadow of backroom political dealings continues to haunt a party born from rebellion, now struggling with its own revolutionary contradictions.