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Feared gangland thug broke cop's nose during ‘disgraceful' attack
Feared gangland thug broke cop's nose during ‘disgraceful' attack

Sunday World

time3 days ago

  • Sunday World

Feared gangland thug broke cop's nose during ‘disgraceful' attack

Hugh Boyce is the former right-hand man of the murdered drugs kingpin Malcolm McKeown Gangland thug Hugh Boyce was jailed this week after he broke one cops nose and spat in the face of another during an orgy of violence. Boyce, pictured here when we confronted him on the street in 2023 about an attack on the son of murdered gangster Malcolm McKeown, was ordered to serve ten months behind bars after the court was told he described his own behaviour as a 'disgraceful episode'. Boyce is the former right-hand man of the murdered drugs kingpin McKeown sr but has a shocking number of violent convictions and has settled a number of scores against former gang rivals both inside and outside of jail. Crime boss McKeown, whose brother Clifford was jailed for life for the murder of Catholic taxi driver Michael McGoldrick, was shot dead in a hail of bullets at a petrol station forecourt in Waringstown in 2019. Malcolm McKeown was murdered in 2019 Boyce, with an address at Lakeview Meadow in Lurgan, also admitted making threats to damage property, breaching a restraining order and improper use of a telecommunications network to send 'a message or other matter that was grossly offensive.' Following the admissions, a further charge of burglary with intent to cause damage was withdrawn by the prosecution. The PPS lawyer told the court how occupant of a property on Hidden Terrace, Mountnorris, was contacted by her neighbour on 14 December last year, reporting that 'alarms were going off…and there was water coming from her roof space.' Career criminal Huge Boyce Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 19th Police arrived at the scene and they found Boyce 'hiding in the shed outside.' When they tried to arrest him however, he 'becomes aggressive' and attacked the officers, breaking the nose of one constable and spitting in the face and mouth of another. 'He made threats that he would burn their houses out,' said the prosecutor, adding that during police interviews Boyce refused to answer questions. Defence counsel told the court Boyce himself conceded 'it was a disgraceful episode' and further that given his record, 'he is no stranger to custody.' District Judge Michael Ranaghan said it was his view the ABH 'is the headline offence' so imposing ten months jail on that charge, he ordered the other, lesser sentences to be served concurrently. Back in 2019 when Boyce was jailed for two years for his role in a campaign of intimidation and arson attacks directed at police officers' houses and cars, he was named in court as second in command in Malcolm McKeown's mid-Ulster gang. Malcolm McKeown The campaign against cops and staff of a Banbridge hotel began in 2015 when McKeown's gang were refused entry to the hotel's nightclub but eventually, cops placed covert listening devices in a car of a fellow gang member and recorded Boyce discussing drug deals, plans to burn down a pub in Craigavon and about balaclavas, gloves, climbing over walls and petrol bombs. Boyce was convicted of attacking McKeown's son Malcolm Jnr as he sat in his car at a petrol station in Lurgan. He was approached by Boyce who had got out of a BMW X5 and proceeded to open McKeown's car door, immediately punching him in the face. When he got out of the car, McKeown was kneed and punched once more by Boyce. When the Sunday World confronted Boyce about that attack, he said: 'It's nothing to do with you. It happened yeah but it's all been dealt with in court already.'

Liam Boyce bags quickfire treble to send Derry on their way past Treaty United
Liam Boyce bags quickfire treble to send Derry on their way past Treaty United

RTÉ News​

time4 days ago

  • Sport
  • RTÉ News​

Liam Boyce bags quickfire treble to send Derry on their way past Treaty United

Liam Boyce bagged a hat-trick off the bench in just 25 minutes to put Derry City through to the next round of the Sports Direct FAI Cup. With the game in Markets Field at a stalemate and fast approaching the hour mark, Boyce was summoned and ended up being the difference. Derry City would likely have welcomed a cup tie after their most disappointing result of the season last week. Their 2-0 defeat to Sligo Rovers really put a dampener on what had already been a mixed league campaign to date, but the allure of at least €650,000 in European money for winning this tournament might have been enough to merit its own independent focus. The Candystripes were hardly blessed with an easy run in last year's renewal, so in a sense, a trip down to Limerick was probably a turn in their favour. Although their cup history against teams from the third city is mixed at best. Perhaps their most famous meeting in cup competition came in the League Cup final in 2002, when a Brendan Hughes-captained Limerick FC, who had finished bottom of the second tier that year, lifted the trophy at the Brandywell, after winning 3-2 on penalties. Now, the gap isn't quite as big as it was back then – and the fact that Derry City had to wait until 40 minutes into the game for an effort of note was more reflective of their pedestrian pace than the evolution of football on Shannonside. But as the clock ticked towards 60 minutes with little joy, Tiernan Lynch was forced to act. He called out for the services of Boyce and, within two minutes, the former Northern Ireland international repaid in kind. Michael Duffy lined up a corner from the right-hand side and his lofted cross found Boyce right on the penalty spot. The contact wasn't perfect, but it looped over Corey Chambers into the Treaty net. Ten minutes later, the tie was over. For all the good the hosts might have done in open play, they were undone once more from a set piece, as Michael Duffy's corner found Alex Bannon at the back post to nod into the bottom corner. And the trifecta was completed five minutes later as another Duffy corner found Boyce, who'd barely been on the pitch a quarter of an hour. The vocal home crowd at least had their moment to celebrate as their undisputed talisman Lee Devitt pulled one back with just over ten minutes to go. But that would soon be ruled out when Boyce completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot, and Danny Mullen completed a rout that had looked highly unlikely only ten minutes beforehand. Treaty United: Corey Chambers; Evan O'Connor, Robbie Lynch, Mark Walsh )eoing Martin, Ben Lynch; Steven Healy (Fionn Doherty, 89), Connor Wilson (Brian Cunningham, 65); Colin Conroy (Mark Byrne, Lee Devitt, Mark Murphy; Trpimir Vrljičak (Patrick Ferry, 77). Derry City: Brian Maher; Alex Bannon, Mark Connolly, Sam Todd; Ronan Boyce (Robbie Benson, 77), Sadou Diallo, Adam O'Reilly, Shane Ferguson (Hayden Cann, 57); Gavin Whyte (Liam Boyce, 57), Dipo Akinyemi (Danny Mullen, 69), Michael Duffy (Adam Frizell, 77).

Northern Ireland ace's second-half hat-trick fires five-star Derry City to ruthless FAI Cup triumph
Northern Ireland ace's second-half hat-trick fires five-star Derry City to ruthless FAI Cup triumph

Belfast Telegraph

time4 days ago

  • Sport
  • Belfast Telegraph

Northern Ireland ace's second-half hat-trick fires five-star Derry City to ruthless FAI Cup triumph

The Northern Ireland international hit a treble in the recent 7-2 win over Waterford at the Brandywell, and he repeated the trick here in this 5-1 victory, coming off the bench in the second half with the score at 0-0 to make all the difference. Tiernan Lynch gave a debut to striker Dipo Akinyemi at Markets Field, while he also handed a first start to Alex Bannon. Meanwhile, Adam O'Reilly made his first start in five games as the Candystripes began what they hoped would be the first step on the road to a third FAI Cup Final in four seasons. City started with intent and Bannon had a good chance to break the deadlock on five minutes, but the unmarked centre-back was unable to keep his header down after Michael Duffy's right-wing corner had picked him out at the back post. City then had the best chance of the game four minutes before the break when Duffy's clever pass threaded through the Treaty defence, right into the path of O'Reilly who was denied only his third Derry City goal by Corey Chambers, who produced a strong stop from close range. Lynch strengthened his attack early in the second-half with the introduction of Boyce from the substitutes' bench, and it proved to be immediately effective as the striker rose to meet Duffy's corner to send a looping header over Chambers and into the top corner to make it 1-0. Derry City then doubled their lead on 71 minutes as Treaty got caught from a corner again, this time Duffy's delivery met with a header from Bannon, who celebrated a goal on his first start for the club. Treaty United were simply unable to contain Derry City from corners as the visitors scored a third just three minutes later, Boyce again on hand to direct a header over Chambers and into the net, in doing so hitting double figures for the 2025 season. Treaty did pull a goal back 11 minutes from time when Brin Cunningham's mishit shot fell perfectly for Lee Devitt, who calmly placed the ball beyond Brian Maher. The game was over as a contest with six minutes remaining, however, as Derry scored again with Boyce completing his second hat-trick in three games. The striker was brought down by Chambers, giving referee Lucas Keating an easy decision, and Boyce hammered the ball confidently past the Treaty goalkeeper. Derry were showing no mercy late on as they added a late fifth, Adam Frizzell setting up Danny Mullen to score to give the scoreline an emphatic look. Treaty United: Chambers, O'Connor, Walsh, R Lynch, B Lynch, Conroy (Byrne 77), Healy (Doherty 89), Wilson (Cunningham 65), Devitt, Murphy, Vrljicak (Ferry 77). Derry City: Maher, R Boyce (Benson 77), Bannon, Connolly, Todd, Ferguson (Cann 56), O'Reilly, Diallo, Whyte (L Boyce 56), Duffy (Frizzell 77), Akinyemi (Mullen 69).

How Lionel Boyce and Ayo Edebiri Wrote ‘The Bear' Season 4's Standout Episode
How Lionel Boyce and Ayo Edebiri Wrote ‘The Bear' Season 4's Standout Episode

Yahoo

time6 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Yahoo

How Lionel Boyce and Ayo Edebiri Wrote ‘The Bear' Season 4's Standout Episode

Lionel Boyce is almost surprisingly soft-spoken and mild-mannered, just like the quietly dedicated pastry chef he plays on The Bear. But Boyce swears he and Marcus Brooks are not that similar. With four seasons of playing the character under his belt — complete with a 2024 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor — he's quick to parse the nuances of where they overlap. 'Marcus is much more of a perfectionist than me,' Boyce clarifies over Zoom from Los Angeles. 'But being reliable and having people's backs is something we share.' More from Rolling Stone 'The Bear' Renewed For Season 5: Will Carmy Be Back? 'The Bear' Season 4 Finale Leaves Us With Plenty to Chew On 'The Bear' Season 4 Goes Big and Goes Small in Two Very Special Episodes. Both Work So when Boyce's co-star Ayo Edebiri, who plays Chef Sydney in the series, called him up one night with an idea for a new episode, Boyce stayed on the call, talking through his opinions, instincts, and honest thoughts on her plans. After the two hung up, he got a text from Edebiri asking him to co-write the episode. 'I ultimately said yes, but I was reluctant,' Boyce says. 'It was a scary thing to me, because even though I've written with friends and done my own things, I've never written on a show that was already on. I was like, 'This is a ship that's working. And I don't need to insert myself.' That's all I could think about.' What sold him? That mutual spirit he shares with Marcus, the same one that's made his character a fan favorite — being the gentle but steadfast voice of support in people's corners. The end result is the slow-moving yet captivating fourth episode of Season Four. Directed by Janicza Bravo (Zola), 'Worms' follows Sydney on a rare day off. Her hair isn't braided, she hasn't made a decision about whether to stay at The Bear or go work with chef Adam Shapiro on a new project, and reminder … her hair isn't braided. The long day ahead is only made longer when her braider and cousin Chantel (Danielle Deadwyler) runs out to buy more hair halfway through the process, leaving Sydney alone with her daughter TJ (Arion King) in a house empty of food. The episode is a humble (in all the best ways) slice-of-life snapshot — specifically, of Black life in a part of Chicago rarely shown in the series, which is otherwise hyperfocused on the Berzatto family on the city's north side. There's the tender way Sydney and TJ guide each other, first through a recipe, and then through upcoming big decisions (whether to attend a sleepover for one, whether to change jobs for the other). There's code switching, strict Black parenting, and plenty of jokes about just how long it takes to install a full head of box braids, giving another rare glimpse into Sydney's life outside of the chaotic kitchen. But the genius of 'Worms' also lies in how deftly Boyce and Edebiri lay out some of the most treasured and joyous parts of Black community onscreen without explaining them to death. The Bear is a show about all of the different ways a group of strangers can become family. 'Worms' turns that same silliness, banter, and heartwarming energy radical, by placing the Black home in a place of soft reverence. Boyce chatted with Rolling Stone about his first experience co-writing an episode, the timeless (and time-intensive) process of a hair day, and how Marcus is going to handle that crazy season finale. It's been almost two weeks since Season Four of premiered. How are you feeling? Like anything with creation, it's made in a bubble. You can have all these ideas before, but once it's out in the world, your ideas no longer matter, and it takes on a life of its own. It's organic. So it's cool seeing the things that people respond to, what's sticking out. It always goes back to the romantic things people put on the show. It's always expected, but I feel like this year it came back even stronger than it was in Season One. So I thought that was funny. Are you thinking of the loud and proud fans who think that Carmy and Syd should be in a romantic relationship, or the people who think Marcus and Chef Luca could give it a go? Oh, all of that. People will make fan edits. It's just funny how people have made up their minds, like, 'This is what should be.' Romance aside, this is the first season where you've co-written an episode. What made you interested in contributing in that way? I wanted to support Ayo, because I truly loved the idea and where it was going. It just seemed like so much fun. But it also just seemed like a different kind of challenge. That was enough of a reason for me to [try] my hand at it, because I hadn't done it before. I really enjoyed writing it with Ayo. It's just cool when you get to experience that with a friend. It's like playing tennis. Just back and forth and building on ideas — even the ones you discard, it's just functioning in a way that's so easy. What do you think audiences get when they see this day off for Syd that they wouldn't see in the kitchen? It's the exhale. Seeing how it looks for her to be relaxed. I think that came in large part from Janicza, Ayo, Danielle, and Arion. Getting everyone on board really brought it to life. [Chantel and TJ are] these pillars who have known Syd in such a different way than Carmy or anyone in the kitchen's known her. When anyone gets around family, they just exhale. And they slowly return to who you knew them as before they left home. Janicza Bravo has such a strong directorial voice. What was it like working with her for such a personal episode? We just wrote a road map. Once we finished the script, it was just a direction to point us in. I was like, 'You guys take this and continue to build from there.' [Bravo] brought so much warmth and color. Her decisions, her instincts, whether it was references or just the ideas with casting — it was always so graceful. It's one of her superpowers. She adds this layer of grace to anything. Whether you're playing Marcus or we're seeing you at a premiere, your aesthetic is pretty consistent, mostly sharp lineups and hats. But tell me a bit about how your own relationship with your hair intersected with what people saw onscreen. I have an aunt who's a beautician. She's owned beauty shops since I was a kid. So I think that's just a person you understand is a pillar in the community. Barbershops, beauty salons, they're third spaces. You see different people you know at different points of your life in there. The power of a haircut makes you feel invincible. You go in feeling on the fritz, and then you come out, you're like, 'Yeah, I can do anything. I can tackle this world.' Chantel, Syd's braider, is both her hairstylist and her actual family. What was it like to have Danielle Deadwyler bring her to life? The character [Chantel] is a close family member to Syd. You couldn't feel any more comfortable than being around this person. That was one of my favorite things that I think Danielle brought to it, where you saw this dynamic organically form. You see her busting Syd's balls a little bit, for fun. You could see that dynamic, like they're eight years old in the backyard, running around. I was personally grateful that Danielle was down to come on board and play such a funny character and show this other side that we don't see that often from the characters that she plays. She's just such a great actress. I was hanging out on set when they were filming and just getting to see take after take of different things she's doing. I'm like, 'Wow, she's really just a jazz player.' I also loved how time didn't seem to really exist in the episode, which I felt very keenly — mostly because I was braiding my hair while I was all know how long it is. I remember being a kid, like six years old, and I don't go to school that day because my mom got to get her hair braided. You get there at seven in the morning, and you're there all day at this person's house you don't know. You playing their son's Super Nintendo and like, 'What games they got?' Time and space don't exist. So if you've ever gone through the experience, you just know it takes a minute. It wouldn't be if there weren't a cooking scene — and that sort of nostalgia continues when Syd shows TJ how to jazz up Hamburger Helper. What's your version of that instant-comfort nostalgia food?Low-key, Hamburger Helper. The beef stroganoff one, or the mac and cheese one. That's what I was living with. There's such a specific time where that ruled the world. Like, Nineties to early 2000s. And when you're really young, you get mad, like, 'Oh, we gotta eat this?' And then as you get older, it's like, 'No, I want that. That's what I'm looking for.' When's the last time you had it? I haven't had it in years. Every once in a while I'll think about it, like, 'It'd be good to get it.' but I don't want to make it. It's, like, got to be made by my mom, because I know it's not gonna be the same. It's like boxed yellow cake. I love it, and I can make it all alone. But there's something she does to it. Or maybe it's just the fact that she makes it. Is your dynamic with Ayo as co-stars different from your dynamic as co-writers? When we started doing this show, I was like, 'This is cool. I feel like we're on the same wavelength.' I feel that way about pretty much everyone who collaborates on the show, like the writers, the actors, even behind the cameras, it's such a tight-knit family. But with Ayo, we had a lot of friends in common. It's no different than Tyler [the Creator, Boyce's former bandmate in Odd Future] or any of my friends who I collaborate with. Having a professional community, you have friends that you want to work with and always just feel like, 'I respect and admire your work, and we don't even know we don't know each other.' So I think having that thing and you just also can be stupid together, it just made it so much more fun. Do you think that friendship and connection changes the final product for the better? It's funny. With creative people, it's sensitive. A lot of their time is trying to feel something out before they jump in. So when you have a shorthand with someone you already feel comfortable with, you can just get right into it. It just becomes much more of a singular voice when you have that shorthand. Because it's like we speak the same language. I love the mention of creativity, because one of the moments I found so pivotal in the season is in Episode Seven, when everyone crawls under the table at the wedding and goes around sharing their fears. Marcus says his fear is 'running out of creativity.' Is that something you found yourself relating to? That's a fear of mine. You've tapped the well and you're like, 'Is this it? Was this thing I did the last time I have it in me?' It's a fear of running out of passion. Where you feel like a hack or you're rehashing ideas or whatever. Fears are things you can't control. As long as you want to be open and let things in, you'll always have a well that doesn't run dry. But it is a fear. It's a fear of disconnection to me. 'Will I just close myself off to the world and let nothing else in?' Well, if disconnection is the fear, and this episode is an example of you being connected with friends, with collaborators, what was most exciting or joyful about actually watching the finished product?As I watched it, I texted Ayo because I was so impressed with Arion. That was the thing, when we wrote it, Chris [Storer, creator and showrunner of The Bear] was like, 'Yeah, I love it, but you gotta find a great kid.' Jeanie Bacharach, who's the casting director, and everyone did such a good job at finding Arion. Because that relationship is a tentpole of this episode, and you'd see it unfold. Watching it, it felt lived-in, and it reminded me of my sister in ways. I loved the moment when we get to the house and Syd's getting her hair done and Chantel is like, 'Where's the hair upstairs?' And Arion goes, 'There ain't none. Damn!' And it just holds on everyone's face. You don't have to explain it. Everyone understands and it's such a universal thing. I love that moment. In this episode alone, you get Arion as the scene-stealing newcomer, and two standout voices with Deadwyler and Bravo. At this point, people know to expect starry cameos from . So for you, was there a favorite of the season? Jamie Lee Curtis. Even though she's already been in it and doesn't count as a new one, all of her scenes were incredible. And Rob Reiner. I didn't get to meet him, but watching his scenes with Ebraheim [Edwin Lee Gibson] was so cool. I loved seeing his arc this season. The charts! Ebraheim was not fucking around. Yeah, he came in ready to handle business. Being on a show all about food also means the joy of some pretty gorgeous prop foods and the pain of plenty of desserts that you can't eat because they're fake. But sometimes there's a sweet treat for you in return. What's the most delicious thing you had on set this season? It wasn't even made for shooting! I'd sent this video I'd found on Instagram of someone making a cinnamon focaccia to [The Bear culinary director] Courtney Storer. She's like, 'Someone else just actually sent me that. We got the kitchen here — let's make it.' That was delicious. Marcus has also had a pretty incredible and skyrocketing arc through this most recent season, being named as one of 's best new chefs in America. What do you think it does for him emotionally at the end of the season to receive that recognition at the same time that his mentor, Carmy — the person who challenged him creatively — is planning on leaving? That's a good question. In that moment he wins, and he looks around, he's like, 'Yeah, winning the award is cool. But getting to share it with this group of people is the thing.' That's why I'm curious. I always say I'm a fan first of this show. So I have all of the same thoughts that other people do. Like, 'How does this affect things?' You build something out of pure passion, and then you step away from the thing you build — what happens? I want to see the scripts for Season Five, because I'm curious, too! Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Best 'Saturday Night Live' Characters of All Time Denzel Washington's Movies Ranked, From Worst to Best 70 Greatest Comedies of the 21st Century Solve the daily Crossword

MK Party rift deepens as five members defy KZN chief whip in Revenue Bill Vote
MK Party rift deepens as five members defy KZN chief whip in Revenue Bill Vote

IOL News

time7 days ago

  • Business
  • IOL News

MK Party rift deepens as five members defy KZN chief whip in Revenue Bill Vote

The rift in the MK Party in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature widened on Wednesday when ,as five of its provincial members voted against the Bill, in defiance of their own newly appointed Chief Whip, Bonginkosi Mngadi, who supported it. Image: IOL Graphics The KwaZulu-Natal Legislature on Wednesday passed the Division of Revenue Bill with 65 members voting in favour, six against, and no abstentions, but the vote has exposed a growing rift within the Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP). This afte five of its provincial legislature members (MPLs) voted against the Bill, in defiance of their own newly appointed Caucus Chief Whip, Bonginkosi Mngadi, who supported it. The Bill, which outlines how national revenue is shared among all three spheres of government for the 2025/26 financial year, was debated during a virtual special sitting presided over by KZN Legislature Speaker, Nontembeko Boyce. When asked to cast the party vote, Chief Whip Mngadi stated: 'For reasons of transparency and accountability to the public, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, the MK Party supports the DORA Bill for 2025.' However, when Boyce opened the floor for members to express individual votes differing from their party's position, one MKP member Mervyn Dirks who is the former Chief Whip said: 'Speaker, I vote against this Bill, in line with the position of MK in the National Assembly and the NCOP.' 'The votes in favour: 65. Votes against: six. Abstentions: none'' declared Boyce at the close of the vote. Of the six votes against the Bill, one came from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Thobile Nkosi, while five were registered by MK Party MPLs: Patience Gamede, Mervyn Dirks, Professor Mbatha, S'thembiso Magubane, and Bongumusa Mkhize. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Speaking to IOL, Dirks justified his vote, saying: "Division of Revenue Bill B15 of 2025 is a bill that was presented by the Minister of Finance in Parliament. MKP in the National Assembly voted against the Bill. ''The Bill was then sent to the NCOP. Again, MKP in the NCOP voted against this. The same Bill gets referred to provinces. As MKP, I voted against the Bill in line with the MKP position in the National Assembly and in the NCOP." When asked about the Chief Whip's vote in favour of the Bill, Dirks said: "I have no comment." He also declined to comment on whether the party intends to take disciplinary action or investigate the Chief Whip's break from the national party line. MKP Member of Parliament Brian Molefe also confirmed that the party officially opposed the DORA Bill during the vote in the National Assembly. 'We in the National Assembly voted against the Bill,' Molefe said. However, when asked about the apparent contradiction in KwaZulu-Natal, where MKP Chief Whip Mngadi supported the Bill, while five other party MPLs voted against it, Molefe distanced the national leadership from the provincial developments. 'I don't know about what happened in KZN,' he said. Dirks, a former ANC Member of Parliament who joined the MK Party in early 2024 , was appointed Chief Whip of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature in January 2025, taking over from the suspended Kwazi Mbanjwa. He has since been removed from that position. Dirks, however, maintains he was never formally informed of his dismissal. 'I think that you should seek clarity on this matter from the MK national spokesperson or President Zuma,' he told IOL, adding that he had not received any official communication from the party. The circumstances surrounding his removal remain unclear, contributing to growing perceptions of disarray and a lack of transparency within MKP, where leadership decisions often appear to be made without consultation or formal notice. This defiance is not happening in isolation. It mirrors a broader crisis of leadership and coherence within the MK Party nationally, where disputes over authority, ideology, and loyalty are playing out. At the heart of the parliamentary turmoil is the newly appointed Chief Whip, Colleen Makhubele, whose leadership has been fiercely contested by segments of the MKP caucus. A group of MPs recently penned a letter to party president Jacob Zuma, accusing Makhubele of making unilateral and undemocratic decisions, betraying party ideology — particularly in relation to her stance on Israel— and demonstrating poor leadership. The letter starkly warned that Makhubele's leadership threatened party unity, and described her as a "political novice and newcomer." The discontent over Makhubele's appointment comes on the heels of other leadership crises within the party. Mzwanele Manyi, the previous Chief Whip, was abruptly removed amid accusations of arrogance and failing to represent the caucus effectively. His removal was confirmed by MKP deputy chief whip Muzi Ntshingila, who announced Makhubele's appointment in internal party WhatsApp groups, saying: "We are pleased to announce that Hon. Colleen Makhubele has been appointed as the new chief whip of the MK Party. We are confident that she will lead with strength and vision as we continue to advance our collective mission." Before that, the MK Party had already been rocked by the removal of former secretary-general Floyd Shivambu, who was accused of misconduct, including an unauthorised trip to Malawi to meet fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri. Although initially expected to represent the party in Parliament, his name was later omitted from the final list of sworn-in MPs. Despite his close ties to Jacob Zuma, Shivambu's rapid rise from national organiser to secretary-general was met with internal resistance. His leadership was dogged by infighting, which ultimately led to his removal. Shivambu has since announced plans to start his own political party. IOL reached out to Mngadi for comment. Calls were made and a WhatsApp message was sent, but no response had been received by the time of publication. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL Politics

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