In a startling revelation, reliable sources close to the African Transformation Movement (ATM) have disclosed the underlying motives behind the party’s decision to remove Vuyo Zungula from his position as President on Tuesday. 

The insiders suggest that the move was driven not by internal party politics alone but by deeper tensions rooted in religious influence and power struggles involving the party’s spiritual leadership.

ATM was founded in 2018 by the Twelve Apostles Church of Christ (TACC), a prominent religious organisation led by Professor Caesar Nongqunga, the Chief Apostle (CA) of TACC. 

Initially, Nongqunga appointed Zungula ATM’s President, aligning the political wing with the church’s spiritual hierarchy. However, as Zungula’s political profile soared, tensions emerged.

“Zungula’s popularity grew to a point where he was arguably more influential than both the Chief Apostle and the church,” a senior party insider told IOL, speaking anonymously.

“This created a complex dynamic – he was a subdeacon in TACC, making him a junior in the church hierarchy, yet he held the most senior political position. It was a recipe for conflict, with jealousy and envy brewing behind the scenes.”

The insider further explained that Zungula’s rise threatened the delicate balance of power between the church and the party. 

“The relationship between Zungula and the leadership of both institutions became intertwined, which was problematic for those who wanted to maintain control,” he said.

The source alleges that last week’s recent NEC (National Executive Committee) meeting catalysed the ousting. 

According to the source, Zungula was removed in his absence, and an unusual move was informed of his dismissal days later when one of the party’s senior leader, and Nongqunga confirmed the decision.

The insider claims that the meeting centered around a supposed “constitutional error” linked to section 29(4) of the ATM constitution. 

The contention was that this provision potentially made Zungula the spiritual leader of ATM in the event of Nongqunga’s incapacitation or death, thereby positioning him to assume control over TACC.

“Some NEC members argued that this was a constitutional mistake that needed correction,” the source explained. 

“A proposal to amend the constitution was quickly shot down by the SG, who insisted that Nongqunga must remain the President, and Zungula should be removed.”

This allegedly led to Nongqunga’s decision to reassert his authority and assume the presidency directly, leveraging his spiritual veto power.

The insider suggests that the public narrative was deliberately crafted to mask the reason for Zungula’s removal.

According to the source, the party’s leadership agreed to spin a narrative emphasizing a division of duties, portraying Zungula as focusing on parliamentary work. At the same time, Nongqunga’s new role would concentrate on party growth. 

They believe this was a strategic move to soften public perception and avoid scrutiny over the real motives.

“The speech made by Nongqunga, which was circulated publicly, presented a different reason for the removal-one that was more palatable to the public,” the insider said. 

“In reality, the decision was driven by internal power struggles, with Nongqunga and Khukula orchestrating Zungula’s ousting to consolidate church influence over the party.”

In the speech referred to and widely shared on social media, Nongqunga is heard saying, “Vuyo is very smart. If I had died, he would have taken over the Church”. 

The insider points fingers at the a senior leader as the principal architect behind the plot. 

Supported by Nongqunga, the senior leader allegedly led the effort to remove Zungula, fearing his rising influence could threaten their control.

When approached for comment, ATM spokesperson Zama Ntshona referenced the party’s post-election evaluations as the reason for the changes in the party.

“Our focus remains on building a strong party and leveraging votes to secure parliamentary representation,” Ntshona said.

“We continuously assess our progress and ensure our leadership aligns with our national goals.”

He added that the party has a key of voters at their disposal – which can be used to improve their performance during elections, secure representation in Parliament, and engage with other churches and institutions.

Regarding the post-election evaluation, Ntshona said one step he took was to consult with the national office and speak with its members in preparation for the 2026 local government elections.

“The number of votes we receive is not the only success indicator. The ever-changing environment in the country impacts us significantly. 

“Every 12 minutes, a woman’s life is affected; many people are unemployed daily – with unemployment rates between 40 and 50%.

“Currently, about 3 million citizens live in poverty. If these trends continue, many will never experience certain rights or freedoms,” said Ntshona.

Zungula did not respond to questions from the publication.

thabo.makwakwa@inl.co.za

IOL Politics

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