uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) Member of Parliament Pumlani Kubukeli has strongly rejected his expulsion from the party, denouncing the decision as “unprocedural” and “politically motivated.” In a defiant statement issued on Thursday, Kubukeli insisted that he remains a legitimate member of the party and the National Assembly, and vowed to challenge the expulsion through all available legal and internal party mechanisms.
Kubukeli, who has been a vocal figure within the MKP since its formation, was informed of his expulsion earlier this week. The party has not publicly detailed the reasons for his removal, but sources within the organisation suggest it may be linked to internal factional disputes and disagreements over the party’s strategic direction. Kubukeli has characterized the move as a targeted attempt to silence dissent and consolidate control by certain party leaders.
“I have not been afforded any proper hearing or due process,” Kubukeli said in his statement. “This expulsion is not about discipline—it is about politics. It is about removing those who ask difficult questions and who refuse to toe the line.” He further declared that he will not vacate his seat in Parliament voluntarily and that he will approach the courts if necessary to protect his rights and his mandate from the voters who elected him.
The MKP, which has been positioning itself as a major political force ahead of the local government elections, has not yet responded to Kubukeli’s claims. However, political analysts have noted that the internal turmoil could harm the party’s image as a united and disciplined alternative to the established political order.
As Kubukeli prepares to fight his expulsion, the case is likely to become a test of the party’s internal governance and its commitment to due process. For now, the MP remains in Parliament—and the battle for his political future is only just beginning.
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