By Motshwari Mo Mofokeng
Former president Jacob Zuma is facing increasing pressure to step in regarding internal conflicts within the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) after unhappy members in KwaZulu-Natal called for immediate action against the party’s provincial leadership.
A group of unhappy members has given Zuma a week-long ultimatum to suspend the party’s provincial and regional leadership, accusing them of neglecting grassroots issues and sidelining early supporters of the organization.
This ultimatum comes after a meeting of discontented MKP members in Durban last week, where representatives from all 11 regions in KwaZulu-Natal reportedly convened to address rising tensions within the party.
Former eThekwini regional organizer Bongani Cele stated that members decided to escalate their concerns directly to Zuma after unsuccessful attempts to engage with provincial leaders.
Cele mentioned that a petition detailing the complaints was submitted to party recruiter Bonginkosi Khanyile, who was present at the meeting and tasked with delivering the document to Zuma.
“We expect a response within seven days because members feel overlooked,” Cele stated.
The dissatisfied members argue that individuals who joined the party after last year’s elections have been given key positions while founding activists are being ignored.
Traditional healer Andile ‘Mzimb’ukhalimali’ Dlamini expressed that many early supporters sacrificed their livelihoods to publicly support the MKP but now feel marginalized.
He cautioned that if Zuma does not act quickly, unresolved tensions could weaken the party ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
