The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party is experiencing deepening internal conflict, with party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela claiming that former secretary-general Floyd Shivambu tried to seize control of the movement from within. In a statement on Monday, Ndhlela accused Shivambu of undermining the party since joining last year.
Ndhlela stated that Shivambu’s time leading the party’s secretariat was not focused on unity or strategy but on what he described as a deliberate effort to take over the party’s direction. “He did not come to build the party. He came to divide and weaken it,” Ndhlela said.
The accusation follows a public dispute between the two. Weeks earlier, Shivambu called Ndhlela a “drunk and drugged fool” in a TV interview, leading Ndhlela to demand a public apology or pursue legal action. Shivambu has not yet responded to the latest allegations.
Political analysts say the conflict highlights growing divisions within the MK Party, which has seen several resignations and internal struggles since the May elections. Sources say Shivambu had been forming his own networks within the party, pushing for a different direction—one that some say moved away from Jacob Zuma’s influence.
“This is more than just personal conflict,” said political analyst Dr. Thabiso Khumalo. “It’s a battle over the party’s identity—whether it stays true to its roots or becomes a tool for individual ambitions.”
Ndhlela vowed that the party would not be swayed by those seeking personal gain. “We know who is causing problems, and we will not back down,” he said.
With tensions rising and no resolution in sight, the MK Party’s internal divisions threaten its stability and future role in South African politics.
