Floyd Shivambu expelled from MKP amid financial disputes and R28m debt claims

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has fired another salvo at its expelled secretary-general Floyd Shivambu after alleging he left the organisation R28 million in debt.

Shivambu had accused some MKP leaders of stealing R7m every month.

MKP Treasurer-General Mpiyakhe Limba on Friday said Shivambu left the party, led by former president Jacob Zuma, with a debt of R28 million.

Announcing his departure from the MKP after being forced to step down as its secretary-general in June, Shivambu said there were withdrawals of R7m monthly from its coffers and that he had raised these concerns internally.

However, Limba dismissed the claims, saying the former EFF deputy president had instead left the MKP with a debt of R28m.

According to Limba, the MKP has appointed an independent company, Nduma Chartered Accountants, before the annual audit by the Auditor-General SA.

He said the findings had more to do with bookkeeping, which was the area that required improvement.

The MKP also announced that it had expelled and terminated Shivambu’s membership. Shivambu has since started his Mayibuye consultative process towards establishing a new political party, which is now registered with the Electoral Commission of South Africa.

The party has appointed Dr Bongani Mncwango as its new secretary-general and Nomsa Dlamini as his deputy.

Other changes include moving national organiser Joe Ndhlela to policy coordination and replacing him with one of its MPs Aleck Nkuna.

National Chairperson Nathi Nhleko said the party has had some gaps in the national leadership collective, hence it was making the changes.

“Dr Mncwango has 35 years of executive experience, is a former chief executive officer at Sanlam Healthcare, Netcare 911, he was also chair of the Qwabe Traditional Council,” said Nhleko when introducing the new administrative head of the party.

The MKP also dismissed concerns about Zuma’s visit to Morocco two weeks ago and was pictured displaying the South African flag during public engagements.

“I was shocked that we got questions about the flag. Is there anyone in South Africa who doesn’t know that the flag of any country belongs to the citizens?” Zuma asked.

Meanwhile, its spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, on Thursday directed party members to stop referring to each other as “commander” but rather use “comrade” across all levels with immediate effect.

loyiso.sidimba@inl.co.za