Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
17 February 2025 | 12:15CAT
2 min read

Tensions within the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party continue to escalate, with last week marking one of the most turbulent periods since its formation. At the heart of the latest controversy is the party’s general secretary, Floyd Shivambu, who has come under fire from senior members. Infighting has led to near-physical confrontations among MPs, and competing rallies were held by different factions within the party.

Political analyst Dr Ntsikelelo Breakfast weighed in on the unfolding crisis in an interview with Radio Islam, questioning whether this could mark the beginning of the end for the MK Party. “There have been issues for quite some time. Initially, people said, well, perhaps it is teething problems of a party that is yet to find its feet and has only six months to prepare for an election. But it just seems to be getting worse by the day,” he said.

Breakfast compared the turmoil within the MK Party to the collapse of COPE, noting that the conflicts are becoming more severe and mismanaged. “One of the problems of the party is that political organisations like ActionSA and others want to participate in democratic processes but don’t want to promote democratisation within their own ranks,” he said.

He argued that a major source of conflict is the lack of democratic processes in electing leaders. “So long as you have a leadership that is chosen by someone and not by the rank and file, you are going to have these problems. For instance, if now you have to discipline someone, who’s going to preside over that? How do you enforce the constitution when even the people leading the party were not chosen through a democratic process?” he questioned.

According to Dr Breakfast, a significant grievance among members is Shivambu’s appointment as secretary-general despite being a latecomer to the party. “For instance, Duduzile Zuma is upset because this guy just joined off late and was anointed SG, while some people were there when the party was established. They campaigned for the party and put it on the map. So you can see that some people are in pain,” he said.

Beyond leadership disputes, speculation is rife that economic interests are at the core of the internal struggles. He highlighted that at the heart of this is access to economic resources. “Politics is just a by-the-way; the main thing is access to economic benefits. If you are a political leader, you are able to be deployed, you are able to influence,” he said.

Despite its internal battles, the MK Party has disrupted South Africa’s political landscape, posing a significant challenge to the ANC. However, the upcoming local government elections could either strengthen or weaken its standing. “The party either goes one level up or one level down in the upcoming elections. The sooner they address these problems, the better,” Dr Breakfast warned.

The question remains whether Jacob Zuma can reassert control over the party. Some speculate that he thrives on chaos, as it keeps him politically relevant. “He does have a grip, but I think he’s losing it too. There is a constitutional provision that he is the president, but some people are beginning to question his decision-making, including his daughter,” he said.

For the MK Party, a lack of internal democracy could be its downfall. “You can’t make decisions at the top and expect the rank and file to abide,” Breakfast argued. “This also frames a negative discourse about the party to those on the outside. Who is going to vote for a party that is in chaos?” he questioned.

Meanwhile, opposition parties are already strategising on how to capitalise on the MK Party’s internal strife. Reports suggest that the EFF is eyeing disillusioned MK supporters. Breakfast believes the EFF is well-positioned to absorb some of the MK’s potential losses. “The EFF has lost too much ground, and under the current circumstances, it will take strategic advantage of the situation and try its best to regain the ground it has lost,” he said.

Julius Malema has made his hostility towards the MK Party clear, stating that he does not want its members attending EFF rallies or even their funerals. “So you can see that he’s crossing swords with them. He even said that he was going to take legal action against Zuma and demand that he pay back the money regarding the issue of Nkandla. Otherwise, he will instruct his lawyers to attach Nkandla,” Dr Breakfast noted.

With the MK Party embroiled in internal battles, the coming months will be crucial in determining its survival. Whether it can resolve its conflicts or follow in the footsteps of COPE remains to be seen.

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Sulaimaan Ravat and Political analyst Dr Ntsikelelo Breakfast, here.