Before local elections in South Africa: The old man doesn't tolerate anyone next to him

Shortly before the local elections in South Africa on November 4th, the largest opposition party is dismantling. The MK (uMkhonto weSizwe), founded by former President Jacob Zuma and appearing for the first time in the 2024 general elections, has now thrown out its eighth general secretary in under two years. Together with increasing uncertainty about the health of the now 84-year-old party leader, an exceptionally delicate picture emerges.

The sacking of General Secretary Sibonelo Nomvalo creates the impression that MK is on the road to self-destruction, just days before crucial elections. Jacob Zuma's party actually emerged as a declaration of war against South Africa's ruling ANC (African National Congress); It ensured that the ANC lost its absolute majority in South Africa's parliament for the first time in the 2024 elections and is particularly strong in Zuma's home province of KwaZulu-Natal. As the largest party not involved in the National Unity Government formed in 2024, it is the main opposition in the South African parliament.

But the careless way in which MK wears out its leadership makes this role difficult to fill. What role Zuma played in the sacking of the secretary-general is unclear; He was recently hospitalized for undisclosed reasons. The leadership positions at MK are all unelected and are determined by Zuma.

Nomvalo, who has now been fired, had only been in office since March. MK explained that he had now been removed from office due to “concerns about the selection of local councilors, the formation of internal factions, multiple payments, delays in the delivery of campaign materials, changes in the staff of the parliamentary group that were not reported to the party leader and the party executive committee, and the appointment of high-level committees without the knowledge of the responsible party committees.” In doing so, he had violated party rules, the party said late on Thursday.

As a replacement, Lindiwe Mtshali was appointed acting secretary-general. Together with MK managing director Mxolisi Phakathi, who is running in the local elections as MK mayoral candidate for the greater eThekwini area around KwaZulu-Natal's largest metropolis, Durban, he is supposed to ensure continuity in the party apparatus and "ensure the effective execution of decisions by the party's authorized leadership structures".

Since taking over the party in December 2023, MK has already worn out seven other general secretaries: Thanduxolo Dyodo, Mashudu Tshivhase, Sihle Ngubane, Arthur Zwane, Sifiso Maseko, Floyd Shivambu and Bongani Mncwango. “This Zuma club never ceases to amaze us,” says commentator Sabelo Gabenga. "It will crash on November 4th. I wonder if MK will still be there at South Africa's next general election in 2029."

A local analyst on the call believes MK will now perform poorly in its strongholds in KwaZulu-Natal. It is true that people who vote for the party primarily because of Jacob Zuma and his populist desirability would not now vote differently because of an administrative matter. "But the matter could weaken the mobilization of voters at the local level. There, the quiet functioning of the party structures and stable local leadership are important."

It's not just general secretaries who are short-lived at MK. The party has already thrown out two MPs this year alone, Pumlani Kubukeli and Khanyisile Litchfield-Tshabalala, as well as managing director Nathi Nhleko, a former police minister under President Zuma, first vice-president John Hlophe, deputy secretary-general Nomusa Dlamini, Jcob Zuma's daughter Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and party spokesman Nhlamulo Ndhlela.