Zuma shakes up MK Party, axes task team and eThekwini mayoral candidate

Durban – The MK Party’s election preparations have been thrown into fresh turmoil after Jacob Zuma dissolved the party’s Presidential Task Team and ordered an investigation into alleged interference with its councillor candidate lists.

Zuma also removed the party’s eThekwini mayoral candidate, Zandile Hlophe-Mkhwanazi, just 12 days after she was unveiled for the position, replacing her with national chair Apostle Mxolisi Phakathi.

The shake-up comes amid allegations that duly nominated candidates were removed from lists submitted to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), with other names allegedly substituted in their place ahead of the 4 November local government elections.

“The investigation will seek to establish the full facts and ensure that any persons found responsible for wrongdoing are held accountable in accordance with the organisation’s rules and procedures,” the MK Party said in a statement on Wednesday.

Hlophe-Mkhwanazi and Sibonelo Maphumulo were also removed from the National Party Liaison Committee (NPLC) with immediate effect, pending the outcome of the investigation.

The NPLC is the MK Party’s official channel for dealing with the IEC on electoral matters. With both of its representatives removed, the party has effectively lost its two representatives on the committee just 56 days before voters go to the polls.

[MEDIA STATEMENT]: President Zuma Orders Investigation Into Alleged Councillor Candidate List Manipulation and Disbands Presidential Task Team pic.twitter.com/UcvJgAPONM

— uMkhonto WeSizwe Party (Official) (@MkhontoweSizwex) September 9, 2026

The party cannot, however, change candidate names already submitted to the IEC.

The electoral body has said nominations closed at 5pm on 28 August, through its online system and hand-delivery at municipal offices. No further nominations could be lodged after the deadline.

The IEC is due to publish the final candidate lists on 16 September, followed by the issuing of certificates of candidacy on 25 September.

Zuma ordered the probe after reports that candidates who had been duly nominated and approved by the party’s election structures were allegedly removed from the lists sent to the IEC.

The party said the allegations struck at its organisational integrity and the democratic will of its members.

“There is no place for manipulation, political gatekeeping or the abuse of organisational processes,” it said.

“The party will leave no stone unturned in uncovering the truth regarding any alleged misrepresentation or irregularities involving councillor candidate lists.”

Serious concerns

The party also praised members who had raised the alarm over the alleged irregularities.

“The president applauds the valiant efforts of our membership for exposing these serious concerns,” it said.

The latest move is the second major shake-up involving Zuma’s election task team in a matter of weeks.

Zuma established the Presidential Task Team in February to strengthen branches and prepare the party for the local government elections. His son, Duduzane Zuma, was among its members.

The team was dissolved in late July, with its powers, mandate and finances transferred to a Strategic Presidential Team. Days later, in early August, Zuma reinstated the Presidential Task Team and dissolved the strategic team.

Major prize 

The latest developments follow a protest by MK Party members outside a Durban venue on Monday, where Zuma was meeting national and local leaders. Protesters demanded action over the alleged changes to candidate lists, IOL reported.

Members claimed candidates they had voted for and who had been accepted by the party’s election structures were not the names ultimately submitted to the IEC.

eThekwini is regarded as a major prize for the MK Party in the upcoming elections. The party secured 45% of the vote in KwaZulu-Natal in the 2024 provincial election but was subsequently excluded from the provincial government.

Hlophe-Mkhwanazi was unveiled as the party’s eThekwini mayoral candidate on 28 August, the same day nominations closed. Bongani Baloyi was named for Johannesburg, while Thulani Shongwe was selected for Ekurhuleni.

The MK Party apologised to affected structures for the disruption caused by the latest developments.

“The president calls upon all members and structures to put these challenges behind us, unite behind our candidates and rally behind our councillor and mayoral candidates towards a decisive victory,” the party said.