PRETORIA, Gauteng — The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has officially moved to remove two of its sitting lawmakers, as the political organization expels MPs Dr Khanyisile Litchfield-Tshabalala and Pumlani Kubukeli with immediate effect. The abrupt dismissals have sparked a fierce internal backlash, with the affected representatives strongly denying the allegations and demanding clarity on the undisclosed disciplinary claims.
According to the party’s official communication, the decision to expel the two parliamentarians stems from a pattern of behavior and conduct allegedly harmful to the integrity, reputation, and overall interests of the MK Party. The organization claims the pair undermined internal unity and organizational discipline, and confirmed that formal correspondence has been sent to the National Assembly Speaker to begin the procedural removal of both members from parliament.
In her first public address since the announcement, Dr Khanyisile Litchfield-Tshabalala expressed profound confusion, stating she was never presented with the specific “series of actions” cited in the expulsion letter. She emphasized that the removal was executed via a “presidential decree,” a mechanism she argues is unconstitutional, as the party leader cannot unilaterally expel members without a formal disciplinary hearing.
Dr Litchfield-Tshabalala speculated that the backlash might be tied to three specific engagements. First, she detailed her 18-month involvement in a special institute designed to resolve internal party challenges. She noted this role was facilitated by a former comrade from exile, Manana, and was conducted with the full knowledge and direct presence of the party President.
Secondly, she addressed her late addition to the Strategic Presidential Team (SPT). Summoned by the general manager just before midnight on a Sunday, she attended extensive Monday and Tuesday sessions where the President himself outlined severe organizational and financial hurdles. These included logistical failures during the recent voter registration weekend, where campaign tables lacked basic materials like banners and t-shirts. She stressed these were not clandestine meetings, but official sessions where she actively contributed to problem-solving alongside the President.
The third point of contention revolves around her capacity as deputy chairperson of the ad hoc policy committee. Dr Litchfield-Tshabalala revealed she had formally questioned the Secretary General regarding financial commitments made at the recent MK policy conference. She highlighted that the event incurred a half-million rand loss because financial processes were not properly presented to members before the conference date passed.
Addressing broader rumors of financial mismanagement, she distanced herself from a newly commissioned forensic investigation into party accounts. She stated she was not present when the investigation was initiated, has not seen the report, and is not implicated in any financial wrongdoing. She also condemned the coordinated social media attacks launched by party officials and their supporters following the suspension of the SPT, noting that she and her colleagues had previously remained silent out of organizational discipline.
Questioning the sudden shift in narrative, Dr Litchfield-Tshabalala pointed out the contradiction of being privately consulted to fix party issues, only to be publicly vilified days later. She also referenced a planned photo that was circulated widely to mischaracterize their engagements. While her legal team evaluates the unconstitutional nature of the expulsion, she remains confident that the truth will ultimately prevail, stating that “a lie does not stand the test of time.”
Despite the political turmoil, Dr Litchfield-Tshabalala stated she is currently focused on broader Pan-Africanist and Afrocentrist dialogues concerning sovereign debt. She also revealed imminent travel plans to Uganda, where she is scheduled to receive an award from an organization.
The MK Party has so far declined to grant further interviews to elaborate on the expulsions, directing all media inquiries to their initial written statement.
