Rogues’ gallery — Brian Molefe, Lucky Montana and MK party family members headed for Parliament

In an unsurprising move that will shake South Africa’s political landscape, the uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party, the Government of National Unity’s official opposition, is reportedly planning to bring several controversial figures to Parliament. Among those slated for parliamentary seats are former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe, former Prasa CEO Lucky Montana and former Transnet CEO Siyabonga Gama – all of whom have previously faced charges of fraud and corruption relating to the state-owned enterprises they once led.

Adding to the controversy is the inclusion of individuals who appear to have close familial ties to the MK party leadership. The proposed list seen by Daily Maverick and submitted to Parliament suggests that the new members may include relatives of the party’s parliamentary chief whip, Sihle Ngubane, and a relative of party leader Jacob Zuma. The implications of these connections have fuelled accusations of nepotism and have exacerbated tensions within the party.

Daily Maverick has further learnt that former South African Revenue Service commissioner Tom Moyane, who was also expected to take up a seat in Parliament, has decided to withdraw from consideration. Instead, Moyane will pursue other interests, including activities within the party.

The proposed changes are outlined in letters dated 5 July, in which  Ngubane informed National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza of the removal of certain members and their proposed replacements. The MK party had made headlines for abruptly removing more than a dozen MPs, ostensibly to make way for figures like Molefe – a move that outraged  many in the party.

Read more: Zuma’s MK party ousts 15 MPs in rapid shake-up, sparking allegations of cronyism

Parliament has confirmed that it has received correspondence from the MK party advising the Speaker of its decision to remove 15 of its public representatives from the National Assembly (NA). According to the Constitution, a person loses membership of the NA if they cease to be a member of the party that nominated them to Parliament.

“Simultaneously, the Speaker has received email correspondence of persons on the party’s reserve list, indicating their unavailability to fill any vacancies in the National Assembly,” a statement from Parliament reads 

“The emails were submitted through the party’s chief whip in Parliament. The Speaker is currently considering these correspondences, and a decision will be made in due course,” it says. 

The sudden and drastic purge has led to allegations of cronyism and internal power struggles. Aggrieved party members have accused Ngubane and Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Sambhudla-Zuma, of orchestrating the ousting of MPs to consolidate their own influence within the party. Sambhudla-Zuma has denied any involvement in the matter.

There are also claims that party leader Jacob Zuma is unaware of the changes. “We met with the president following the swearing-in and he was happy with us. He never discussed any of these new changes,” said one MP who lost their seat.

The Daily Maverick sought a comment from Zuma, but was directed to the party spokesperson by the spokesperson of the Jacob Zuma Foundation, Mzwanele Manyi, who is an EFF member.

Speaking on behalf of the MK party, Nhlamulo Ndhela defended the decision to replace the MPs, stating that those affected were aware of their impending removal and were advised not to proceed with their swearing-in. “They were further advised not to proceed to avail themselves for the swearing-in, or if they so wished, proceed with the understanding that they would be replaced at a later stage, pending the parliamentary procedures,” he said.

Ndhela also alleged that the MK party’s IEC list had been compromised by saboteurs who populated it with friends, family members and neighbours. He claimed that even Zuma’s inclusion on the list was premature, and that the plan was to introduce him later, as was done with former judge John Hlophe. A case regarding the list has reportedly been opened at the Sandton police station.

“The letter of the chief whip to Parliament was leaked, and certain terminated members further leaked them to social media. It is this ill-discipline and rogue behaviour that has led to the spurious misleading reports,” Ndhela added. 

The MK party is yet to finalise its constitution and is still led by an interim leadership. DM