MK PARTY PURGE: DUDUZILE ZUMA-SAMBUDLA, NDHLELA AXED AS FAKE INTEL PLOT TARGETS SG NOMVALO

Party expels Zuma’s daughter and ex-spokesman for factionalism, while secret report exposes bid to oust Secretary General

MK Party Secretary General Sibonelo Nomvalo, top, announced the expulsion of former MP Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, bottom left, and former spokesman Nhlamulo Ndhlela, bottom right, on Thursday, 18 June 2026. The briefing in Johannesburg comes as Nomvalo faces a separate plot involving a fake intelligence report aimed at removing him.

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief

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JOHANNESBURG— The MK Party is in crisis mode after expelling former MP Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and axing spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela on Thursday, even as a fake intelligence report aimed at ousting Secretary General Sibonelo Nomvalo surfaced.

The dual drama unfolded as SG Nomvalo led a media briefing in Johannesburg on Thursday, 18 June 2026, with party leader Jacob Zuma present.

Nomvalo confirmed the national officials resolved that Zuma-Sambudla and Ndhlela “acted in a manner fundamentally inconsistent with the values, discipline, constitutional principles and organizational interests of the MK Party.”

The party said Zuma-Sambudla repeatedly used public platforms and social media to promote factional narratives, challenge leadership decisions, and expose internal matters.

Ndhlela was accused of acting without authority, holding unauthorised media briefings, and misrepresenting official party positions. Both were suspended earlier this year for misconduct.

“These actions created confusion among supporters, encouraged factionalism and weakened organisational discipline,” the party said.

As the expulsions landed, IOL revealed a separate plot targeting Nomvalo himself.

Last week, MKP KwaZulu-Natal caucus leader Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza penned a letter to party leadership alleging Nomvalo was funded by a rival party and guarded by hitmen. Chiliza called for Nomvalo’s immediate removal.

But a senior party source said the claims were based on a fake intelligence report. The report was allegedly fabricated by a senior MKP member in the KZN Legislature to “sow divisions within the party.”

“The person that is behind a plot to sow divisions within the party is now known,” the source said. “The so-called intelligence report was fake.”

Chiliza has since reached out to Nomvalo, admitting he was misled by people he believed had genuine information.

The MK Party’s Royalty and Traditional Leadership wing issued a statement calling for calm. Spokesperson Prince Mandlakapheli kaMkhulumeleni Zulu said the matter is being addressed through internal processes.

“It is our view that the circulation of such information was deliberately concocted by individuals whose intentions are to create confusion, sow divisions, and cause instability within the organisation,” the statement read.

Members were urged not to spread unverified information on social media.

The MK Party said it “remains steadfast in holding all members to same standards,” regardless of rank or family ties. Zuma-Sambudla is Jacob Zuma’s daughter.

Nomvalo is the MK Party’s eighth Secretary General in two years.