In a move echoing the party’s infamous leadership style, Makhubele was removed from her post overnight, casting doubt on her future with the MK Party.
CAPE TOWN – The Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party’s revolving door of leadership has spun once again, this time ejecting its chief whip, Colleen Makhubele, in a dramatic overnight manoeuvre.
The announcement, made in the early hours of Wednesday morning, saw Makhubele abruptly removed from key parliamentary WhatsApp groups, signalling a swift and decisive end to her tenure after only a few months in the role. The move bears the hallmarks of the so-called “midnight reshuffle” style famously associated with the party’s leader, former President Jacob Zuma.
Makhubele had replaced former chief whip Mzwanele Manyi in May, a position that has proven to be precarious. She has now been succeeded by Des van Rooyen, whom the party praised in a statement for his “loyalty, integrity and dedication.”
In a short statement, MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndlela sought to project an image of stability and renewed focus. “The party assures its supporters and the broader public that the new leadership in parliament will enrich the work of the caucus, sharpen its political focus and enhance its ability to represent the will of the people without compromise.”
Makhubele’s political career has been marked by movement. She previously served as the council speaker in the City of Johannesburg under COPE before leaving to form her own party, the South African Rainbow Alliance (SARA). SARA failed to gain traction in the May 2024 elections, after which she joined the MK Party.
The sudden nature of her removal, without any prior public indication of dissatisfaction, raises significant questions about the internal dynamics and stability within the MK Party’s parliamentary caucus. While the official statement points to a desire for a sharper political focus, the method of her dismissal suggests deeper internal tensions.
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