Former uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party secretary-general Sibonelo Nomvalo broke down while recounting what he described as a series of fabricated intelligence reports aimed at removing him from his position, revealing that the political turmoil had taken a devastating toll on his family, including his wife, who spent more than a month in hospital battling severe depression.
Speaking during a media briefing in Durban on Friday 30 October, Nomvalo said the allegations levelled against him had affected his marriage and psychological well-being, while his wife had also suffered as a result of the prolonged political battles.
“All dark plots that I have gone through as Secretary-General have almost severely damaged my marriage. They have almost affected me psychologically to a certain extent. Unfortunately, they have badly affected my wife, who spent more than a month in hospital because of severe depression,” he said.
He said he had been subjected to several intelligence reports which he described as fabricated, alleging that they were repeatedly submitted to party president Jacob Zuma to undermine his position.
He detailed six alleged intelligence reports, including claims that he was an agent of a ANC leader Zweli Mkhize, was working with former MK Party secretary-general Floyd Shivambu to organise a national policy conference to remove Zuma, and had used party money to buy cattle.
He denied all the allegations, saying he had provided supporting documents, including bank statements and vehicle logbooks, to disprove claims that Mkhize had bought his car and paid for his security personnel.
He said he had never had a relationship with Mkhize and did not even have his telephone number.
Another report allegedly accused him of working with Shivambu to organise a policy conference intended to unseat Zuma.
He said he had only interacted with Shivambu once, during the latter’s tenure as the party’s secretary-general, at a hotel in Sandton.
He also denied allegations that he had bought cattle using money stolen from the party, saying the animals were purchased in 2023 while he was still practising as an attorney.
Another allegation involved claims that he and senior party member Brian Molefe had paid R20 million to the Premier Hotel for a policy conference that ultimately did not take place.
He said the allegations led to the establishment of the SPT, which was later disbanded by Zuma after the accusations were allegedly found to have been concocted.
He further denied allegations that he had plotted to kill SPT members during a strategic workshop in Benoni.
He said the accusation devastated him because it was the first time in his life that he had been accused of wanting to kill people.
The former secretary-general also rejected claims that he was an agent of President Cyril Ramaphosa, saying he had only shared a roof with the president in Parliament and could not recall having a direct social conversation with him.
He said he was informed about his removal from the party’s leadership shortly before the decision was communicated to him.
He alleged that he had received information from confidential sources about 40 minutes before the decision that some members of the party were drafting letters in Zimbali to remove him as secretary-general and a member of Parliament.
Despite the developments, he said, he was not surprised because he had long expected attempts to remove him.
He accused certain party members of taking advantage of Zuma’s accessibility and age by feeding him information that he described as false.
He said he was particularly hurt that he had been denied an opportunity to conduct an official handover after his removal.
He also alleged that he had been blocked from accessing Zuma because those involved feared he would present evidence to counter the allegations.
The former secretary-general said he was not angry with Zuma but with those he accused of misleading the party president.
He said he had worked hard to protect the organisation and had tried to address factionalism, instability and other problems since joining the party as an ordinary branch volunteer in February 2024.
He also announced plans to establish the Sibonelo Nomvalo Foundation with former members of the party.
He said the foundation would focus on community outreach initiatives aimed at addressing socio-economic challenges.
He concluded by saying that although his party position, parliamentary position and membership could be taken away, he wanted his integrity to remain intact.