EXPLAINER | Why MK Party’s latest leadership shake-up won’t sway voters

The MK Party’s latest leadership shake-up is unlikely to change voters’ minds ahead of the local government elections.

This is according to a political analyst who argued that the party’s electoral performance may defy expectations about its internal instability.

Sibonelo Nomvalo, the party’s seventh secretary-general since its establishment in December 2023, was removed from the position on Thursday amid reported tensions over councillor selection, delays in distributing campaign materials and the establishment of a high-level deployment committee allegedly without the knowledge of party leadership.

Nomvalo had held the position since March 2026, replacing Dr Bongani Mncwango, who was relieved of his duties on March 12 after a seven-month tenure.

Nomvalo also attracted public attention through his work on parliament’s ad hoc committee that is investigating alleged criminality in the criminal justice system.

His removal adds to a pattern of leadership changes that has raised questions about the party’s internal stability and the potential consequences for its supporters as election day approaches.

Voters care less about what is happening now. I don’t think there is anything that can happen that can sway them; they have already made up their minds—  Prof Lesiba Teffo, political analyst

However, political analyst Prof Lesiba Teffo said the timing of the decision meant it was unlikely to significantly influence voters who had already decided which party to support.

“Voters care less about what is happening now. I don’t think there is anything that can happen that can sway them; they have already made up their minds,” Teffo said.

He argued that if the party’s internal turmoil were damaging its electoral prospects, the consequences would likely have become apparent by now. “But if anything, statistically, now the party seems to be on the rise. Indications are that they are doing well; they are gaining numbers. And that says to us: you, the educated class, rethink your assumptions,” he said.

Teffo said the party’s apparent electoral performance challenged expectations that repeated leadership changes would necessarily weaken its support. He said even though numerically the number of SGs they have had seems to be the issue in the polls they are doing well nationwide.

“What we would have expected is that it’s not even among the top 10 given what has been ongoing in the last 12 months,” he said.

The party has experienced significant internal upheaval over the past year, including disciplinary action against prominent members and changes to its leadership structures.

Party president Jacob Zuma has overseen several high-profile expulsions, including those of MPs Pumlani Kubukeli and Khanyisile Litchfield-Tshabalala, as well as his daughter Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla. National spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela has also been among the prominent figures affected by leadership changes.

In August Zuma appointed his son Duduzane Zuma as the party’s deputy president, further drawing attention to changes within its leadership.