The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) has announced that Mmabatho Mokoena-Zondi has been appointed as a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly and will serve as the party’s Chief Whip, replacing Colleen Makhubele, who was removed last month.

The announcement was made in a media statement on Friday.

Former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe was confirmed as the party’s treasurer general, the MKP also lifted the suspension of Vanessa Calvert, and reinstated her as chief of staff in the parliamentary caucus. 

“Hon. Mokoena has served the party diligently in her role as Chief Whip of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) and has exceeded expectations in her capacity as Caretaker Chief Whip.”

“Her commitment, discipline and leadership have consistently advanced the organisational mandate of the MK Party,” said Nhlamulo Ndhlela, the party’s national spokesperson.

Ndhlela added that the decision will strengthen the MK Party’s caucus, enhance unity of purpose, and ensure greater alignment of the organisation’s interests within Parliament.

“It also reflects the movement’s steadfast dedication to women’s empowerment and its commitment to expressing transformative leadership through women at the highest levels of responsibility,” he said.

“We are confident that Hon. Mokoena’s experience and steadfast leadership will consolidate the work of our parliamentary structures and advance the programme of the movement.”

Ndhlela said the party’s leader, former president Jacob Zuma, and the broader leadership collective called on all MPs and party structures to support Mokoena fully in her new role, as the party works to build a disciplined, united, and effective parliamentary caucus.

Makhubele was removed as parliamentary chief whip last month but retains her seat as an MP. 

Mokoena-Zondi, who served as NCOP chief whip, had been appointed acting chief whip to oversee caucus governance and liaise with the Speaker’s office.

In another key move, the party confirmed the removal of Mpiyakhe Limba from his role as treasurer general, and appointed Molefe as his successor. 

The party described Molefe as possessing the strategic capacity and financial acumen necessary for “a critical responsibility at this phase of the party’s growth.”

The party framed these decisions as measures to strengthen structures, enforce organisational discipline, and enhance collective leadership.

Molefe, the, recently resigned as an MP to focus exclusively on his role as treasurer general.

The MK Party announced the move in a statement on Wednesday, February 4. 

This marks the second time Molefe has resigned from Parliament, in 2017, he served as an ANC MP for approximately three months before resigning amid controversy. 

His tenure with the MK Party lasted roughly one year and four months.

Molefe’s resignation follows a similar move by Lucky Montana, another former state-owned entity boss who recently stepped down as an MP for the MK Party. 

Montana previously headed the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) during Zuma’s presidency.

Both Molefe and Montana were implicated in the State Capture Report, though neither has been convicted of any allegations to date.

IOL Politics

Source link