ZUMA PULLS SG OFFICE UNDER PRESIDENTIAL MICROSCOPE AS MKP LAUNCHES MAJOR RESTRUCTURE

In a bold move to tighten his grip, MK Party President Jacob Zuma has brought the Secretary-General’s office under direct presidential control. With Sibonelo Nomvalo’s key powers reduced, all lines now run through Zuma.

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief

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President Jacob Zuma has placed the MK Party Secretary-General’s office firmly under his direct control, in a sweeping move that signals both a crackdown on internal administration and a bid to steady a party rocked by leadership instability.

In a presidential directive issued on 24 July, Zuma announced that the office of Secretary-General Sibonelo Nomvalo would “function directly under the Office of the President” with immediate effect.

With that single instruction, all signing authority, administrative oversight and strategic coordination previously held by the SG’s office were transferred to Zuma’s presidency.

Zuma said the repositioning was necessary to ensure tighter organisational coherence, disciplined administration and a unified strategic direction across the movement.

The SG’s office will now execute and support core functions including the party’s membership system and digital infrastructure, the monitoring and evaluation of governance across MKP caucuses and public representatives, as well as communications and the maintenance of structures at all levels. The secretariat itself will be convened by a person designated by the Office of the President.

Nomvalo remains Secretary-General in title, but he no longer has authority to sign on behalf of the party. The shift comes against the backdrop of what insiders describe as an exodus at the top of the SG office, with key personnel departures in recent months leaving gaps in administration and raising questions about stability ahead of the 2027 local government elections.

The directive is part of a broader restructuring. Zuma has dissolved the previous Presidential Task Team and established a new Strategic Presidential Team to oversee operations, candidate selection, communications and internal compliance.

The team will be convened by MP Pumlani Kubukeli, a former president of the uMkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association. He will be joined by Limpopo MPL Lulamile Jack and other senior figures including Petrus Matsemela, Mduduzi Chiya, Sindiswa Mthembu, Metsing Modise and Mandla Sidu.

Alongside the political reconfiguration, Zuma has launched an aggressive cost-cutting drive aimed at pulling the party back from the brink of financial collapse.

Private security contracts have been terminated and responsibility for the safety of national officials will now reside exclusively with the Office of the President. Military veterans will provide close protection and driving services and will be placed on the party payroll.

The decision follows revelations that one company, Real Squad Security, was charging R336 000 to protect Nomvalo. The party will also move away from outsourced transport by purchasing its own vehicles for officials, and will insource travel bookings instead of using external agencies.

Fundraising operations, financial governance and organisational expenditure have also been brought under the President’s office and will be supervised by General Manager Zandile Makhathini-Neer.

Zuma confirmed earlier in the week that he had taken direct charge of the party’s financials and banking systems. The new Strategic Presidential Team will sit on the financial, audit and procurement committees.

Analysts say the centralisation consolidates executive authority in Zuma’s office at a critical moment for MKP.

The President defended the changes as necessary to ensure continuity, stability and the smooth functioning of governance under the strategic authority of the Presidency.

The MK Party said the restructure positions it to fight corruption, strengthen discipline and deliver for the people.