By Simon Nare
Former uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) parliamentary chief whip Colleen Makhubele has resigned as a Member of Parliament, effective 28 February, following a turbulent period in the party’s parliamentary leadership.
In a resignation letter addressed to MKP leader and former State and ANC president Jacob Zuma, Makhubele did not give reasons for her decision, but thanked Zuma for the opportunity to serve in parliament.
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“It has been a privilege to be part of the 7th Democratic Administration and to work in the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa — a place that has produced some of the greatest legends of our country,” she said.
“Whether future generations will honour our current generation of Members of Parliament in a ‘hall of fame’ is a subject of debate, with perspectives varying based on moral, ethical, and revolutionary qualities. It remains to be seen whether our political contributions have qualitatively and innovatively advanced democratic gains and protected the heritage of our struggle virtues from the erosion caused by selfishness, corruption, uncontrollable factionalism, and power politics. This is a question that history will ultimately answer.
“After careful consideration, I have decided that, in the best interest of the MKP Caucus at this time. I believe that I can better serve our country and its citizens by utilising my skills, qualifications, and experience in a different capacity,” she said.
Party spokesman Ndumiso Ndlela told Inside Politics that, while he does not comment on individual membership matters, Makhubele did not say in her resignation letter that she is leaving the party.
Before joining MKP, Makhubele was a Congress of the People (COPE) politician and later founded the South African Rainbow Alliance (SARA). She also held one of the most senior posts in local government when she served as Speaker of the City of Johannesburg council, elected in September 2022.
Her departure comes weeks after she was removed as chief whip in an MKP reshuffle.
Makhubele rose rapidly after joining MKP as an MP in January 2025 and was appointed parliamentary chief whip in May 2025.
In November 2025, then-parliamentary leader and former judge John Hlophe removed her from the chief whip post and replaced her with Des van Rooyen, a decision Zuma later reversed as the party’s infighting spilled into public view.
MKP became the official opposition in the National Assembly in July 2024, after Parliament’s rules committee recognised the party in that role following the formation of the Government of National Unity.
