Phumlani Mfeka's returns to the MK Party spark talk of leadership shake-up
The leader of INjeje YabeNguni Council, Induna Phumlani Mfeka, rejoined the fold of the MK Party.
Image: Supplied
THE return of Phumlani Mfeka to the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has reignited speculations of a possible reshuffle in the party's key structures – including its highest National High Command (NHC).
The outspoken leader of the cultural lobby group INjeje YabeNguni Council, made a U-turn after dumping the party in February, making serious allegations against some senior party leaders and the alleged sidelining of the core constituency, which was traditional leaders, including Izinduna and Amakhosi.
The decision to return to MKP, which Mfeka once served as its member of the provincial legislature (MPL) in KwaZulu-Natal, came after a meeting with the party leader and former president Jacob Zuma in his Nkandla homestead, on Sunday.
During his candid interview with the Daily News on Monday, Mfeka described what he dubbed his homecoming as 'heartwarming and uplifting'.
'My decision to return home has long been coming. There have been many meetings between myself and some party leaders who wanted me back into the fold. It feels good to be home once again,' he said.
'I have received a lot of messages from many people inside the party who have expressed their happiness at my return to the party,' said Mfeka.
Mfeka, who is deep-rooted in culture, vowed to continue his internal fight against the sidelining of the traditional leaders in the MKP.
'I am very confident the issue of the sidelining of the traditional leaders in the MKP will be fixed. That is my core constituency and I will continue to fight against any plans to sidelining it,' remarked Mfeka.
'I am just an ordinary member of the party, at this stage,' he said.
Mfeka was among the people who publicly spoke out against the alleged MKP's takeover by people who had joined the party after the May elections. This, they alleged, was a ploy hatched by the EFF led by Julius Malema to destroy the MKP from within. This is after the party raked in 58 seats in the National Assembly, which has 400, and 37 in the KZN provincial legislature, with 80 seats.
This is the same view held by Zuma's daughter Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, who once nicknamed the group oMafikizolo, which when loosely translated means late bloomers.
Among the EFF members who crossed the political floor was Floyd Shivambu, who is currently occupying the powerful secretary-general position. Other notable names who ditched the EFF for the MKP, were Advocate Dali Mpofu, former Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane and Mzwanele Manyi.
Mfeka told the Daily News that as he rejoined the MKP, his focus will be to work to attract more voters to the party ahead of the local government elections which will happen next year.
He expressed deep and unwavering support for the party and Zuma.
'MK Party is my home. I still wish the best for the best and for our president Nxamalala (Zuma's clan name).'
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