Johnathan Paoli
THE uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party officially removed its Youth League President Bonginkosi Khanyile and other league members, including Deputy President Thapelo Maisha and Gauteng coordinator Philani Gazuzu.
In a letter issued on Tuesday, the party indicated that Khanyile however would remain an ordinary member and notified him of his redeployment at a future stage.
MK party Secretary-General Sihle Ngubane said Khanyile’s removal is effective from Wednesday.
While the party has offered no official reason for Khanyle’s removal, rumours have arisen which claim that his unruly behaviour and inflammatory remarks led to his redeployment.
In March, Khanyile threatened that all hell will break loose if former president Jacob Zuma and the newly formed party were not allowed on the ballot paper come election day in May.
He said this during a media briefing in the Johannesburg CBD, where he was commenting about the legal battle with the ANC over the trademark and registration of MKP, the party’s list to Parliament, and the MKP Youth League’s future.
“If they remove the MKP and president Zuma from the ballot as the face of the campaign and try to take our rights, there won’t be elections in South Africa,” Khanyile said.
However, speaking on the sidelines of the Johannesburg High Court in March, MKP founder Jabulani Khumalo said the party did not promote any political violence or disrupting democratic processes, and would discipline those members who exhibit such behaviour.
Last week, the MK party confirmed it took action against Visvin Reddy, as the senior KZN leader appeared in court, facing charges of contravening Section 17 of the Riotous Assemblies Act, where he is alleged to have incited public violence.
His appearance followed a video clip circulated on social media, in which Reddy addressed a public gathering and allegedly made inciting comments.
MK party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said that members who incite violence would be disciplined.
“Any member that utters or makes any pronouncements of violence will be dealt with drastically and we’ll expel them,” Ndhlela said.
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