The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has named its three representatives to serve on the impeachment committee: first deputy president and parliamentary leader Dr John Hlophe, chief whip Mmabatho Mokoena-Zondi, and Khanyisile Litchfield-Tshabalala.
MK Party spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu responded to the Speaker’s refusal of a motion of no confidence tabled by the ATM, which the MK Party had supported. Mahlangu cautioned Speaker Thoko Didiza to be careful not to end up in the “dark books of history” like her predecessor Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
He stated that Didiza has an opportunity to redeem South Africa from what he described as a corrupt and vengeful system under President Cyril Ramaphosa. Mahlangu emphasised that there is nothing wrong with a vote of no confidence, describing it as a separate process from the “Phala Phala” process. He argued that such a vote should have been allowed long ago and conducted by secret ballot.
Mahlangu urged the Speaker to trust the wishes of the people of South Africa, noting that parties such as the ATM and MKP were elected by the masses to represent them in the National Assembly. He called on her to allow a secret vote to test the majority in parliament and determine whether the president would survive.
On internal party developments, Mahlangu addressed the suspension of a senior member referred to in the discussion as Mr Leela (who had previously served as spokesperson and was replaced by Mahlangu). He clarified that the party’s position is not to remove anyone from the party or parliament at this stage. The individual has been suspended pending an investigation, and the outcome of that process will determine any further action.
Mahlangu confirmed that the suspension instruction came from the party leader, former President Jacob Zuma, describing it as a party decision based on the leader’s recommendation. He stressed that these are currently allegations that will be tested through a proper investigation, during which the affected member will have an opportunity to speak for himself. The party will update the media on the outcome.
When asked about concerns from supporters that the MK Party is self-destructing, given several leadership-level departures, Mahlangu reiterated that the member remains a party member while suspended and that standard organisational processes will be followed. He declined to go into detail on the specific allegations at this time. The suspension follows the recent launch of the MK Institute, after which the party’s top leadership, including the secretary-general, declared certain pronouncements from the event “null and void” and not integrated into the party’s broader organisational policy machinery.