By Simon Nare
MK Party leader Jacob Zuma’s daughter and party member Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla has only apologised to her father and party structures over her public spat with secretary-general Floyd Shivambu.
She has offered no apology to Shivambu.
Following the fight on social media on Monday night, Zuma instructed his daughter to publicly apologise to the secretary-general or face disciplinary action that could include termination of her membership.
Zuma-Sambudla obliged in a statement, saying as a committed and disciplined member of the MKP, she unconditionally publicly apologised to her father and party leadership for using profanities in her social media interactions.
She did not mention Shivambu personally, but did acknowledge that she should not have taken the matter into the public domain.
She added that even though she held strong views and serious concerns, internal party matters pertaining to Shivambu were supposed to have been addressed via internal channels.
“I acknowledge that expressing these grievances publicly was unfortunate and may have undermined the unity, discipline and respect that defines the MK Party.
“My profanity was not and should not be a reflection of the revolutionary discipline, respect and solidarity that our organisation, under the esteemed leadership of President Jacob Zuma, upholds.
“To president Jacob Zuma of the MK Party, the entire leadership, members, supporters of the MKP, and the people of South Africa, I wish to assure you that I never intended to harm the integrity of the party or the values it upholds,” she said in a statement.
She also apologised for any offence caused and offered formal apologies to all the structures she served in whose roles and responsibilities she said she carried with the utmost humility and commitment.
“I hope my apology is received in the spirit of accountability, revolutionary solidarity and a genuine commitment to upholding the values of the MK Party. I am fully prepared and committed to cooperate with any internal processes deemed necessary by the party, as part of my continued dedication to the ideals of discipline, respect, and unity,” she said.
Zuma reigned her in after she went on the attack following a post on X which lauded Shivambu as worthy leader, to which she responded by saying that he was the worst thing that has ever happened to MKP.
She further launched attacks on those who were calling her out and went as far as swearing at Shivambu in response to another post that pointed her out as the biggest problem in the party.
“Floyd I am Not Scared Of YOU!!! Tell Your Minions To FUCK OFF… Bloody Mafikizolos,” she barked to another response.
Tensions between the two have been simmering for some time. Zuma, who is seen to be very close to his daughter, has sided with Shivambu.
He said in a statement on Monday night that she must issue an unconditional public apology to Shivambu, himself, members and supporters of the party as well as the people of South Africa.
“Such actions are unacceptable, divisive, denigrating and offensive. They undermine the principles of unity, respect and discipline that are fundamental to the values of uMkhonto weSizwe Party.
“She must also extend formal apologies to all structures she serves in or leads, including the Southern Caucus of the Pan-African Parliament. These apologies must be made immediately.
“Following this, an internal disciplinary process will be initiated in accordance with the uMkhonto weSizwe Party constitution, code of conduct and all relevant prescripts,” he said.
Zuma warned his daughter that if she did not comply, it would lead to immediate consequences that may include the termination of her membership and a recall from all party responsibilities.
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