MK Party Appoints Des Van Rooyen as New Chief Whip Amid Leadership Shake-Up

The Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has announced a change in its parliamentary leadership, appointing Des Van Rooyen as its new Chief Whip with immediate effect.

Van Rooyen takes over the position from Colleen Makhubele, who was appointed to the role in May of this year. This move marks the latest in a series of changes to the chief whip position since the party entered Parliament after the 2024 general elections.

In a statement, the MKP described Van Rooyen as a “seasoned cadre of the liberation movement” who brings “extensive academic, political as well as governance experience” to the role. The party expressed “full confidence” that under his leadership, its parliamentary caucus would become “strengthened, disciplined and more strategically aligned with its mission.”

The appointment signals an ongoing effort by the MKP to solidify its structure and strategy within Parliament.