Cape Town – uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party leader Jacob Zuma has dismissed Des van Rooyen as the party’s Parliamentary Chief Whip, less than 24 hours after his appointment.
Van Rooyen was named as Colleen Makhubele’s replacement on Tuesday evening. However, by Wednesday evening, Zuma’s office rescinded the party’s decision to appoint Van Rooyen to the position.
According to EWN, the MK Party’s head of presidency Magasela Mzobe said that the decision made by Zuma was not made without any proper thought, as the president has a lot of respect and praise for him.
“You can imagine how difficult it was for the president and the leadership because besides being a leader in the MK Party, comrade Des is a father, an uncle, a husband, brother and human being, so it was not easy to take this decision.
“But as a cadre of the movement, he will understand but when the organisation is confronted with a painful period like this unfortunately, he had to be a victim when he was responsible for not taking this decision. The party had to correct its processes,” said Mzobe.
In its statement, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party announced that upon Zuma’s return from his trip to Burkina Faso, he met with the party’s national officials and was briefed about changes made in the National Assembly without collective consultation.
True to form #MKParty leader Jacob Zuma has suspended his deputy disgraced judge John Hlophe for firing Chief Whip Colleen Makhubele and replacing him with Des Van Rooyen.
Lmao. Shem van Rooyen was not even Chief Whip for 24 hours. 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/WCTHKaotYK
— Bonga Dlulane (@Dlulane_BongaM) November 5, 2025
“The President has taken a decision to issue a precautionary suspension to the Party’s Deputy President and the Leader of the MKP Parliament Caucus Dr. John Hlophe from both his leadership roles with immediate effect, pending a full investigation on his conduct.
“This decision is meant to affirm and send a strong message and the principle of collective leadership across all structures within the uMkhonto weSizwe Party. Consequently, the decision taken by Dr. Hlophe to remove Cde Collen Makhubele and appoint Cde Des Van Rooyen is therefore nullified,” said Mzobe.
uMkhonto Party has assured its members and the South African public that the organization remains stable, despite reports suggesting otherwise.
“Organisation remains stable, focused and steadfast in pursuing its mission to bring about genuine transformation and justice for the people of South Africa,” concluded Mzobe.
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Compiled by Anda Tolibadi
