Simon Nare
Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) deputy president and parliamentary caucus leader Dr John Hlophe has been placed on precautionary suspension and stripped of his role in the National Assembly pending an investigation.
The party said on Wednesday night that Hlophe was suspended with immediate effect for removing chief whip Colleen Makhubele and replacing her with Des van Rooyen without consulting other leaders.
The move would have made Van Rooyen the fourth MKP chief whip since the party entered parliament 15 months ago.
Makhubele was removed during party president Jacob Zuma’s absence. Zuma, who was on a visit to Burkina Faso, convened a meeting with party officials on his return.
According to a press statement, Hlophe had not consulted the leadership on his decision to remove Makhubele. The party did not elaborate on any reasons Hlophe put forward for the move, which has since been rescinded. Makhubele has been reinstated.
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