JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng — The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has officially sacked its Secretary General, Sibonelo Nomvalo, effective October 22, 2026, triggering a major leadership reshuffle less than two weeks before the crucial November 4 local government elections.
In an official media statement, the party announced that Nomvalo was relieved of his duties subject to the party’s constitution and internal procedures. The dismissal comes amid a series of severe internal allegations. According to the party, Nomvalo was removed over the alleged manipulation of the councillor selection process, which heavily impacted the party’s strongest support base in KwaZulu-Natal. Specific investigations were reportedly constituted in the province’s metropolitan municipality and the Moses Mkhize district region, where the party faced significant setbacks.
Additionally, the party cited delays in distributing essential campaign materials and the unauthorized establishment of a “high-level deployment committee” without the knowledge or approval of the party’s top leadership. Internal power struggles also played a central role; branch meetings and resolutions highlighted concerns that Nomvalo was attempting to usurp the powers of Party President Jacob Zuma, including the disbandment of the President’s advisory team.
To fill the sudden vacancy, the MK Party has appointed Lindiwe Mtshali, the former Deputy Secretary General, to act as the new Secretary General. A long-standing supporter of Jacob Zuma, Mtshali was originally brought into the deputy role following the removal of her predecessor. She will be assisted in her new duties by National Chairperson Mxolisi Phakathi.
Furthermore, Party National Spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu will double up to take on the role of Deputy Secretary General. The specific language used in the party’s announcement regarding these appointments indicates a tight micromanagement of the Secretary General’s office. By placing the role in direct consultation with the National Chairperson and the Spokesperson, executive control remains firmly centralized under the party president.
This latest development underscores a profound pattern of instability within the MK Party’s leadership structure. In its brief three-year history, the party has seen at least nine different secretary generals, resulting in an average tenure of just three months for the position.
Political observations surrounding the internal resolutions suggest that the office of the Secretary General has been systematically stripped of its traditional executive powers. Following moves to centralize authority back to the MK high command, the role has effectively been reduced to that of a “clerk” or a “glorified personal assistant.” The SG is no longer permitted to approve organizational machinery or nominations without the direct approval of the party president, raising questions about whether Mtshali will be able to stabilize the ship and navigate the complex post-election coalition negotiations in potentially hung municipalities across the country.
