The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) has expelled two of its members, Pumlani Kubukeli and Dr Khanyisile Litchfield-Tshabalala, with immediate effect, citing conduct it says has damaged the party’s reputation, undermined its interests and threatened organisational unity and discipline.
In a statement issued on Thursday, 27 August 2026, the party’s Office of the President confirmed that both Kubukeli and Litchfield-Tshabalala had been expelled following what it described as “a series of acts and conduct” attributed to the two members.
“The decision follows a series of acts and conduct attributed to the two members which, in the determination of the Party leadership, have been detrimental to the good name, reputation, integrity and interests of the organisation, and have undermined the unity and organisational discipline of the Party,” the MK Party said.
The party said the decision was taken under the executive authority vested in its president, former president Jacob Zuma, in terms of Section 7(2)(h) of the MK Party Constitution.
According to the party, the provision empowers the president to establish, restructure, appoint or remove organisational structures or deployees in the interest of the Party and its strategic direction.
The MK Party said its Secretary-General, Sibonelo Nomvalo, had written to the Speaker of the National Assembly to formally communicate the termination of the two members’ party membership and to initiate the process for their subsequent removal from Parliament.
The party did not provide details of the specific conduct or incidents that led to the expulsions in Thursday’s statement.
It also did not state whether the two members had been given an opportunity to respond to the allegations before the decision was taken, or whether they intend to challenge their expulsions.
The development comes as the MK Party continues to exercise significant influence in the National Assembly following its strong performance in the 2024 general election.
The party emerged as the third-largest political force nationally, securing 58 seats in the National Assembly.
Its representation was particularly significant in KwaZulu-Natal, where it emerged as the largest party.
Kubukeli and Litchfield-Tshabalala were among the MK Party representatives serving in the National Assembly.
Their expulsion from the party therefore raises an immediate constitutional and parliamentary question, whether and how their seats will be affected following the termination of their party membership.
The MK Party has made clear that it intends to have the parliamentary process set in motion.
The Speaker and Parliament will have to process the party’s communication in accordance with the applicable constitutional and parliamentary framework.
The issue is potentially significant because South Africa’s electoral system for the National Assembly is based on proportional representation, with political parties playing a central role in determining the composition of party lists.
The expulsion of sitting MPs therefore has consequences beyond the internal affairs of the MK Party, particularly where the party seeks to replace representatives who no longer belong to its caucus.
The expulsions also underscore the extent to which the MK Party leadership is asserting organisational discipline as the party continues to consolidate its structures.
The party said all its members and structures were expected to conduct themselves in accordance with its constitution.
“The Party reiterates its commitment to organisational unity, discipline and integrity,” it said.
The leadership added that members were expected to act in the interests of unity and comradeship.
The statement was signed off by the party’s leadership, including Zuma as president, Duduzane Zuma as first deputy president, Tony Yengeni as second deputy president, Rev Mxolisi Phakathi as national chairperson and Sibonelo Nomvalo as secretary-general.
The next key development will be the response from the Speaker of the National Assembly and the parliamentary process that follows the MK Party’s request to have the two former members removed from the House.