The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has removed Sibonelo Nomvalo as its secretary-general, the latest change in a post that has turned over repeatedly since the party was founded in December 2023.
The party said Nomvalo had been "relieved of his duties" with effect from Thursday 22 October 2026, less than two weeks before the local government elections on 4 November. Lindiwe Mtshali is acting secretary-general. Nomvalo had not publicly responded at the time of writing.
What the party says
In a statement, the party listed a series of concerns: the councillor selection process, internal factionalism, "dual remuneration" matters, and delays in campaign materials. It also said changes to the parliamentary caucus and party administration were not communicated to party leader Jacob Zuma, national officials or the presidency collective, and that high-level deployment committees were set up without the knowledge of the relevant leadership structures.
National spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu said these matters raised concerns about "organisational coordination, internal communication, accountability and adherence to established Party procedures". These are the party's claims; we have not seen evidence for them, and Nomvalo has not answered them.
The party thanked Nomvalo for his contribution, wished him well and asked him to cooperate with the relevant structures on an orderly handover. Its statement also said: "The party comes first."
Interim arrangement. Mtshali, who the party's statement has working alongside national chairperson Mxolisi Phakathi, will run coordination, administration and organisational affairs. Mahlangu takes on additional duties linked to the deputy secretary-general's office, shared with Mtshali, and remains spokesperson. The party described this as an interim arrangement to keep the organisation running and carry out decisions of its leadership structures.
A post that keeps changing hands
Nomvalo was appointed in March 2026, replacing Bongani Mncwango, who had served about seven months, according to published reports. Earlier holders of the post named in coverage include Thanduxolo "Gorbachev" Dyodo, Sihle Ngubane, Arthur Zwane, Sifiso Maseko and Floyd Shivambu.
Some coverage calls Nomvalo the party's eighth secretary-general, while its own list names seven people. We have not been able to reconcile the count, and we are not putting a number on it.
The party's current leadership, as listed in its statement, includes Zuma as president, Duduzane Zuma as first deputy president, Tony Yengeni as second deputy president, Brian Molefe as treasurer-general and Aleck Nkuna as national organiser.
