MKP stands by Chief Whip Makhubele as Ndhlela is confirmed fired

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has confirmed that Colleen Makhubele remains firmly in her position as Chief Whip, despite purported suggestions of a petition calling for her removal.

At a press briefing held in Parliament on Thursday, MKP parliamentary leader Dr John Hlophe said it was false that a letter had been sent to party president Jacob Zuma to oust Makhubele.

“There is no letter, there is no petition, in terms of which MPs are calling for the head of the Chief Whip. This is a figment of someone’s imagination,” said Hlophe.

The party said recent internal changes, including the removal of spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela from its whippery, were strategic and administrative, not evidence of factionalism.

Hlophe said the MKP is reorienting itself towards legislative impact and preparing constitutional amendments, including a proposed revision of Section 235 of the Constitution, which relates to self-determination.

“We don’t believe South Africa belongs to just anyone who lives here,” Hlophe said.

“You must be a citizen of this country before you can say, ‘I am a South African'. You can’t visit here for two weeks and say, ‘I love Constantia, I live here now, I must benefit'. We are bringing serious amendments to the Constitution, and that means realignment of internal parliamentary functions.”

On the matter of the former deputy whip, Ndhlela, who contested his removal, Hlophe confirmed that a termination letter had been sent and received.

“Initially, he said he hadn’t received the letter. When it became clear that he had, he changed the story and said the signature on the letter was forged. I can confirm that the letter came from my office.”

Makhubele said the rumours had caused unnecessary disruption and she expressed disappointment at how the matter played out publicly.

Responding to the rumoured petition against her, Makhubele said: “There is no such letter. I haven’t seen it. The caucus hasn’t seen it. We’re coming from a caucus meeting, and we’re all shocked. It has dented our image, and we want to ensure this never happens again.”

She emphasised that the MKP caucus is made up of members from diverse political backgrounds but unified under one constitutional vision.

“All of us, whether we came from COPE, ACDP, the DA or the Patriotic Alliance, have aligned ourselves with the MK Party constitution and the people’s mandate,” she said.

The party also introduced its new portfolio leaders, described as equivalent to shadow ministers, who will lead on key areas such as public service, land reform, and economic transformation.

Makhubele said the MKP’s legislative priorities will include land expropriation without compensation, decolonisation of the economy, and constitutional recognition of traditional leaders.

She also committed to stronger constituency work and deeper public engagement.

Hlophe concluded by urging the public and media to distinguish between internal party administration and deliberate misinformation.

“These are operational changes, not a caucus crisis,” he said. “The Chief Whip is not going anywhere.”

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