Fresh allegations have emerged within the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) linking former MP Dr Khanyisile Litchfield-Tshabalala and Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla to an alleged plot to deregister the party.
Africa Daily has reliably learnt from insiders within the MKP of serious allegations that Litchfield-Tshabalala and Zuma-Sambudla were involved in discussions and efforts aimed at destabilising the party by causing it to lose its status as a registered political party, effectively preventing it from contesting the upcoming local government elections.
“They plotted with Dudu to deregister the party,” one source told Africa Daily.
The allegations come in the wake of Litchfield-Tshabalala’s expulsion this week from the MKP, although she has indicated that she was not informed of the reasons behind the party’s decision to remove her.
The latest claims could also potentially shed new light on the circumstances surrounding her expulsion, while it remains unclear whether the allegations formed part of the reasons considered by the party when taking action against her.
Africa Daily has also seen video footage showing Litchfield-Tshabalala and Zuma-Sambudla together, further fuelling speculation within party circles about the relationship between the two and the extent to which they were allegedly working together.
Sources claimed the two were frequently in each other’s company and remained in close contact.
Africa Daily has approached both Litchfield-Tshabalala and Zuma-Sambudla for comment.
The MKP on Thursday announced the immediate expulsion of two of its Members of Parliament, Pumlani Kubukeli and Litchfield-Tshabalala.
The party said the decision followed a series of acts and conduct attributed to the two members which it deemed detrimental to the organisation.
According to the MKP, their conduct had damaged the party’s “good name, reputation, integrity and interests” and undermined organisational unity and discipline.
However, the party did not publicly provide details of the specific conduct or acts that led to their expulsion.
The decision was taken in terms of Section 7(2)(h) of the party’s constitution, which gives the party president executive authority to establish, restructure, appoint or remove organisational structures or deployees in the interests of the party and its strategic direction.
“Their membership in the uMkhonto weSizwe Party is therefore terminated with immediate effect,” the party said.
The party’s Secretary-General had also written to the Speaker of the National Assembly to formally communicate the expulsions and initiate the process for Kubukeli and Litchfield-Tshabalala to be removed from Parliament.
The MKP reiterated its commitment to organisational unity, discipline and integrity, saying all members and structures were expected to comply with its constitution.
It also called on its members to conduct themselves in the interests of unity and comradeship.
The party wished Kubukeli and Litchfield-Tshabalala well in their future endeavours.
Litchfield-Tshabalala is no stranger to South Africa’s political landscape.
A former ANC and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP, she rose to prominence during her time in the EFF after becoming associated with the party’s high-profile “Pay Back the Money” campaign against former president Jacob Zuma.
The chant became a defining feature of EFF protests in Parliament and was directed at Zuma over the Nkandla scandal and the use of public funds in relation to his private residence.
Litchfield-Tshabalala later became one of the prominent political figures to move between SA’s political formations before eventually joining the MKP.
Africa Daily will update the story once responses from Litchfield-Tshabalala and Zuma-Sambudla are received.