Royal houses of Transvaal Kingdom sever association with MK Party
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
The Transvaal Kingdom State of the Monarchs, representing royal houses from Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Limpopo and North West, has formally cut ties with the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, citing ongoing 'disrespect and disregard' from the party's leadership.
The royal houses said the decision was effective from August 3.
'We, the Transvaal Kingdom are compelled to announce that we can no longer continue our association with the MK Party due to the persistent and deliberate undermining, disrespect, and disregard shown by the party, from its national leadership, and President Jacob Zuma, towards the Royal Houses,' the monarchs stated.
The monarchs listed a series of incidents across several provinces that they said demonstrated a 'profound lack of regard for the dignity and significance of traditional leadership.'
These included 'ill-treatment suffered during the Launch of the People's Mandate at Orlando Stadium' and further 'disrespect shown at the 1-year anniversary at Moses Mabhida Stadium.'
However, the final incident prompting the break occurred when Amakhosi travelled to Zuma's homestead in Nkandla for a scheduled meeting this past Sunday.
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'Despite initial confirmation of the meeting, Amakhosi were subjected to a series of confusing communications, including a postponement notice,' they said.
A media statement, signed by iNkosi Mbhengi II kaBonginkosi Mhlongo of the Elangeni Kingdom, 'upon arrival at the Zuma Homestead on the 3rd of August 2025, Amakhosi were informed by SAPS members that President Zuma was not in Nkandla and would not be meeting with them.'
The royal houses described the treatment as 'a harbinger of what we can expect if the party were to take over in our jurisdictions and territories'. They warned that continued association with the MK Party would lead to 'the erosion of our dignity and the diminishment of the thrones of our forefathers.'
A press briefing has been scheduled for 1 September in Mpumalanga, where further details are expected to be disclosed.
In response, IOL reported that political analyst, Professor Sipho Seepe, has urged Mpumalanga traditional leadership (amakhosi) and MKP leader Zuma to sit down and resolve their differences amicably.
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