Sihle Mavuso
The MK Party’s Royalty and Leadership structure (MKPRTL) has told members to stop airing internal disputes publicly, as a row between secretary-general Sibonelo Nomvalo and KZN legislature leader Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza deepens.
The structure said the matter was being dealt with through internal party processes and warned members against fuelling tensions through public commentary.
The call comes after Sunday World reported that Nomvalo had written to Tony Yengeni, the party’s second deputy president, alleging that Chiliza was on a mission to have him removed as secretary-general.
According to the report, Nomvalo alleged that Chiliza had claimed he was being controlled by a senior ANC politician, had received gifts from that politician, and should be removed from his position.
The report also said Chiliza, the MK Party’s leader in the KwaZulu-Natal legislature and deputy traditional prime minister of the Zulu nation, allegedly claimed Nomvalo had been bought a vehicle by the politician and that his security detail, which was also allegedly paid for, was made up of “hardcore hitmen”.
Nomvalo has denied the allegations, saying the claims were untrue and intended to damage his reputation.
After the letter was reported, the Progressive Civics Congress (PCC), a civic movement aligned with the MK Party, publicly backed Chiliza and said the correspondence was defamatory and damaging to party unity.
“The Progressive Civics Congress (PCC) wishes to express solidarity with Inkosi YaseMaDungeni, uSekela Ndunankulu Wesizwe sakwaZulu, who has been subjected to an attack by Mr Sibonelo Nomvalo, Secretary General of the Mkhonto Wesizwe Party. We, the African people who hold the spirit of Africanism close to our hearts, reaffirm our respect for our Kings and our commitment to speaking with dignity about our leaders.
“We stand firmly against any attempt to [defame] the character of our Ndunankulu, which only sows disunity and division among our people.
“We call for accountability and transparency about the identity and capacity of the person speaking in that letter, which was circulating on social media. We also like to get clarity whether Mr Sibonelo Nomvalo is acting in a personal capacity or as a representative of an organisation, and which rival political party, if any, is cited in his communications,” the PCC said.
On Wednesday, the MKPRTL stepped in and appealed for calm, saying the matter was being handled through the party’s appropriate internal structures.
It said those processes were capable of dealing with the issue in a “fair, responsible, and disciplined manner”.
“MKPRTL calls upon all members and supporters not to be drawn into unnecessary debates, speculation, or the dissemination of unverified information on social media and other public platforms. We encourage everyone to exercise restraint and allow the relevant structures the space required to conclude their work without interference,” it said.
The intervention comes ahead of a media briefing by MK Party leader Jacob Zuma on Thursday, where he is expected to address “recent developments within the party” following a meeting of the party’s national officials.
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