Zuma’s Daughter and Former MK Spokesperson Take Party to Court Over “Unlawful” Expulsions

Zuma’s Daughter and Former MK Spokesperson Take Party to Court Over “Unlawful” Expulsions

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and Nhlamulo Ndhlela have launched an urgent High Court bid to overturn their expulsion from the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, arguing they were thrown out without due process — no charges, no notice, no hearing.

What Happened?

The pair filed papers in the South Gauteng High Court after MK Party secretary-general Sibonelo Nomvalo announced their expulsions at a media briefing on June 18 — with immediate effect.

Zuma-Sambudla is the daughter of former president Jacob Zuma. Ndhlela previously served as the party’s national spokesperson. Both are now fighting to reclaim their positions inside one of South Africa’s most talked-about political parties.

Why This Matters

For Ndhlela, the stakes are especially high. He warns that if the expulsion stands, he could lose his seat in the National Assembly under Section 47(3)(c) of the South African Constitution.

He has already written to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza on June 22, urging her not to act on the expulsion while legal proceedings are ongoing.

For Zuma-Sambudla, every day the expulsion holds causes what she describes as ongoing damage to her political reputation and shuts her out of key party decisions, including candidate-selection processes.

The Legal Argument: A Rule That Doesn’t Exist?

The applicants are also challenging the legal basis of the expulsions themselves. According to court papers, Nomvalo cited “Section 2(h)” of the MK Party constitution as the authority for his decision.

The applicants argue that no such provision exists in the party’s constitution. A decision based on a non-existent rule, they say, is irrational, unlawful, and must be overturned.

Adding fuel to the fire, Ndhlela points to a television interview in which Nomvalo allegedly admitted the allegations against them were untested and that no disciplinary body had made findings against them — effectively acknowledging the expulsions were based on unproven accusations.

What Were They Accused Of?

The MK Party cited several reasons for the expulsions:

The applicants deny these claims. Ntshingila’s partner, Ayanda Maseko, was brought forward to dispute the party’s version — stating she personally collected his belongings using a key he had given her, and that his family, including his father, were present when he was moved to the Sandton facility.

Internal War or Hostile Takeover?

Despite Zuma-Sambudla being Jacob Zuma’s daughter, both applicants insist they hold no animosity toward the former president. Instead, they blame those around him, describing their expulsion as the work of internal forces attempting to hijack the party and sideline its founder.

Nomvalo is cited in the court papers both in his official capacity as secretary-general and in his personal capacity, to the extent that he may have acted beyond the powers granted to him by the party’s own constitution.

What Happens Next?

The applicants are asking the court to declare their expulsions unlawful and invalid, and to order the MK Party to follow its own constitution if it wishes to pursue any future disciplinary action against them.

This case could become one of the most significant legal battles in the MK Party’s short but turbulent history — putting the party’s internal governance, disciplinary powers, and leadership authority under the spotlight of judicial scrutiny.