The uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party Women’s League has hit out at party spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, accusing him of using the League to pursue his own agenda.

In a strongly worded letter to Ndela, which has been seen by IOL, League president Mabel Rwekana lashed out at Ndela for announcing the suspension of the party’s chief whip in Parliament, Colleen Makhubele, a decision later reversed.

“Last time I checked, you were MKP spokesperson and had no business with Women’s League (WL) affairs. You are not a member of the Women’s League unless you have changed your gender. You wake up in the middle of the night and give instructions to WL Secretary on what to do without following the correct WL protocol. It is abundantly clear that you have your own selfish interest in WL. I am quite aware of all your nefarious interests in the Women’s League and that you have your own preferred comrades that you want to plant into WL space. Don’t defocus us, as MKP Women’s League, we are focused, we don’t entertain any power mongers, we are intentional with our responsibilities of liberating women and poor masses of SA unashamedly so,” read the letter addressed to Ndhlela.

It ended with: “I comradely ask you to STAY AWAY FROM WL AFFAIRS, don’t behave like an operator”.

Approached for comment, Ndhlela said: “I am the party’s national spokesperson and speak for all structures within the party, including the Women’s League. I will not be muffled by anyone.”

The latest fracas has exposed serious battles within the party, with divisions playing out publicly. The fallout follows the reversal of Makhubele’s suspension and the immediate suspension of the party’s deputy president, Judge John Hlope, who has been accused of removing Makhubele as chief whip.

Speaking to IOL, MK head of presidency, Magasela Mzobe, defended the party’s action to suspend Hlope, saying it was all part of instilling discipline and respect for leadership.

“You cannot make decisions unilaterally without consultation with anyone. And when that happens, it must be corrected, which is what we did. When the president landed at the airport from a trip and heard that a decision had been taken by the deputy president to suspend the chief whip without any consultation with anyone, not even himself, he was shocked. That is why he immediately took action and reversed that decision,” he said.

Pressed on an internal report on allegations against Makhubele, which allegedly prompted her suspension, Mzobe said he was not aware of the allegations. “I don’t know about any such report, but the president has full confidence in Colleen and the party’s structures. The reality is that the organisation has to be respected as a party with collective leadership. We are not in crisis, we are simply implementing strict discipline as a young party,” he said.

On Hlope’s suspension, Mzobe said it was ‘precautionary’, not a full suspension – adding that the party will now investigate Hlope’s action of unilaterally suspending Makhubele without consultation.

“There is no division; this is all part of ensuring the highest level of scrutiny on all of us. Our supporters should not feel we are unstable. We are actually instilling strict protocol and discipline on how we operate as a party, which will ready us for the future. We are gearing up for the local elections and we are confident we will get through these issues,” he added.

IOL Politics

Source link