By Charmaine Ndlela
The MK Party has expelled former president Jacob Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, and former national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela from the party Zuma launched into national politics, accusing them of serious misconduct and undermining the organisation’s authority.
The announcement was made during a media briefing in Sandton on Thursday by the party’s Secretary-General, Sibonelo Nomvalo.
Nomvalo said national officials had considered a series of actions, public statements and activities by Zuma-Sambudla and Ndhlela, which were in conflict with members’ constitutional obligations and had undermined organisational unity, discipline and cohesion.
In Zuma-Sambudla’s case, the party said it had noted repeated public statements and social media publications that it said promoted factional narratives, discredited recognised party leadership structures, challenged the legitimacy of party decisions and brought internal organisational matters into the public domain.
Nomvalo said Ndhlela had acted without proper organisational authority, convened and addressed media briefings without approval from recognised party structures, misrepresented party positions and participated in unauthorised activities that created confusion about official party processes and leadership arrangements.
The party also raised concerns about the conduct of both members following the death of MK Party MP Muzi Ntshingila.
Nomvalo said both members had participated in an activity that resulted in the transfer of an ailing Ntshingila to another health facility without the knowledge of his family.
The party said neither Zuma-Sambudla nor Ndhlela had authority to involve themselves in matters relating to Ntshingila’s illness or to separate him from his family. It also said concerns had been raised about the removal of Ntshingila’s personal belongings from his parliamentary residence without the knowledge of his family.
Following complaints from Ntshingila’s family about public commentary and conduct surrounding the deceased, MK Party parliamentary leader Dr John Hlophe instructed both members not to attend funeral proceedings and to refrain from making public statements, commentary or social media posts that could cause further distress to the family.
“Despite these clear instructions, both members failed to comply with the directive.”
The party specifically accused Zuma-Sambudla of participating in social media commentary relating to the deceased, describing her conduct as insensitive, disrespectful to a grieving family and inconsistent with the values, discipline and standards expected of party members.
“Their actions constituted a direct disregard of organisational authority and further aggravated divisions within the movement during a period of mourning.”
Nomvalo said the party’s national officials had considered the seriousness, extent and cumulative impact of the conduct, and concluded that Zuma-Sambudla and Ndhlela had acted in a manner fundamentally inconsistent with the party’s values, discipline, constitutional principles and organisational interests.
Invoking powers vested in Zuma under the MK Party constitution, the organisation announced the immediate expulsion of both members.
“Their membership of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party is hereby terminated, and they shall no longer enjoy any rights, privileges, responsibilities or authority associated with membership of the organisation,” Nomvalo said.
The expulsion marks another dramatic development in Zuma-Sambudla’s political career after she resigned as an MK Party MP in November 2025 amid allegations linked to the recruitment of 17 South African men who ended up in the Russia-Ukraine war.
The MK Party previously said her resignation was voluntary and was not an admission of guilt. Zuma-Sambudla has denied knowingly sending the men into the conflict.
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