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MK Party removes secretary-general Sibonelo Nomvalo before elections

Published

The MK Party said Nomvalo was relieved of his duties over concerns including councillor selection, factionalism and dual remuneration. Lindiwe Mtshali is now acting secretary-general, and the change comes days before the 4 November local government elections.

The party said the concerns also include delays in campaign materials and changes in the parliamentary caucus that were not communicated to party leadership. It also said high-level deployment committees were set up without the knowledge of the relevant party structures.

The party said these matters raised concerns about organisational co-ordination, internal communication, accountability and adherence to party procedures.

Sifiso Mahlangu, the party's national spokesperson, will share deputy secretary-general functions. Reports said Nomvalo was appointed in March and was the party's seventh secretary-general since it was founded in 2023.

Key facts

Who
Sibonelo Nomvalo (Former Secretary-General of the MK Party); Lindiwe Mtshali (Acting Secretary-General of the MK Party); Sifiso Mahlangu (MK Party spokesperson, taking over duties related to the Deputy…); Jacob Zuma (MK Party president)
What
The Umkhonto We Sizwe (MK) Party removed Sibonelo Nomvalo as Secretary-General in a late-night media statement, less than two weeks before the local government elections. Lindiwe Mtshali was appointed acting Secretary-General.
When
22 October 2026
Where
South Africa, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal
Status
Reported

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