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MK party gives Ramaphosa until Mandela Day to resign
MK party gives Ramaphosa until Mandela Day to resign

The Citizen

time3 hours ago

  • Politics
  • The Citizen

MK party gives Ramaphosa until Mandela Day to resign

President Cyril Ramaphosa has been given until 9am on 18 July to resign by the MK party or face a motion of no confidence. uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party has handed a resignation ultimatum to President Cyril Ramaphosa. The party listed a range of actions that they would take should the president not step down by the end of the work week. The demand comes in the wake of Ramaphosa's response to the crisis plaguing the nation's security cluster. Motion of no confidence MK party confirmed on Wednesday morning that Ramaphosa had until Friday morning to tender his resignation or face several repercussions. 'The MK party has formally delivered a letter of demand to Cyril Ramaphosa, calling on him to resign from office by 9am on 18 July in honour of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the founding Commander-in-Chief of uMkhonto weSizwe,' stated party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela. Mandela Day is observed annually on 18 July. 'Should Ramaphosa fail to heed this call, the MK Party will pursue a range of lawful and peaceful actions,' he added. Among the threatened actions instituted by the MK party, Ramaphosa should ignore the deadline, including a motion of no confidence, nationwide mass action and constitutional litigation. Ndhlela said the accusations by KZN police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi exposed the shortcomings of the government of national unity (GNU). 'The MK Party calls on Cyril Ramaphosa and the GNU to respect the voice of the people before irreparable damage is done to South Africa's democratic institutions,' he stated. 'Coup d'etat' Since Sunday, Ramaphosa has placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave and appointed two acting police ministers in the space of four days. The president appointed Firoz Cachalia as acting police minister before installing Minister of Mineral Resources Gwede Mantashe as acting police minister for the next two weeks until Cachalia takes office. The MK party's threat comes a day after Minister in The Presidency, Khubudzo Ntshavheni, warned about threats uncovered by the State Security Agency (SSA). 'There is a potential risk of a coup d'état. We have identified it and put measures in place to mitigate against it,' Ntshavheni stated on Tuesday. NOW READ: Are we safe? Ntshavheni says security cluster detected potential risks of a coup [VIDEO]

MK Party: Ramaphosa made legal missteps when appointing interim police minister
MK Party: Ramaphosa made legal missteps when appointing interim police minister

Eyewitness News

time4 hours ago

  • Politics
  • Eyewitness News

MK Party: Ramaphosa made legal missteps when appointing interim police minister

CAPE TOWN - The official opposition claimed the president made several legal missteps when he placed Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu on special leave and appointed an interim minister from outside of the National Assembly to take his place. The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party also slammed President Cyril Ramaphosa's choice of Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga to lead a commission of inquiry into police corruption as premature and a conflict of interest. ALSO READ: - MK Party heading to ConCourt to challenge appointment of interim police minister - KZN MK Party threatens chaos should Mkhwanazi be persecuted - MK Party sends Ramaphosa ultimatum over decision to appoint interim police minister The party said there's enough evidence to fire Mchunu and a commission of inquiry to probe explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi is unnecessary. As it prepares a legal challenge to be lodged in the Constitutional Court, the MK Party said Ramaphosa has put two arms of state on a collision course by choosing a serving Constitutional Court judge to lead the inquiry before he's officially retired. MK Party parliamentary leader John Hlophe explained: 'It's a judicial commission of inquiry, it's going to be headed by a judge, yet there are fundamental and serious allegations of corruption in the judiciary. In other words, the judiciary is called upon to investigate itself.' Hlophe said appointing Wits law professor Firoz Cachalia as the interim police minister before his tenure as an academic officially ends is not only premature, but is another unconstitutional move because the country can't have two ministers serving in the same portfolio. The MK Party said the Constitution also does not allow one of the president's two outside appointments to be in a temporary capacity. Meanwhile, Parliament's police and justice committees will hold a joint meeting on Wednesday to chart a path for an inquiry into the police and the allegations involving Mchunu.

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

time9 hours 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

South Africa's MK Party Recognizes Morocco's Sovereignty Over Western Sahara
South Africa's MK Party Recognizes Morocco's Sovereignty Over Western Sahara

Morocco World

time17 hours ago

  • Politics
  • Morocco World

South Africa's MK Party Recognizes Morocco's Sovereignty Over Western Sahara

Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita met on Tuesday with former South African President Jacob Zuma, leader of the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, in Rabat. The meeting marked a significant shift in South Africa's political stance, as Zuma's party officially recognized Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara and endorsed the Autonomy Plan as a viable solution to the regional dispute. The visit builds on previous diplomatic overtures, including Zuma's meeting with King Mohammed VI in 2017 during the African Union summit in Côte d'Ivoire, where both sides agreed to open a new chapter in bilateral relations. In a joint appearance, Zuma emphasized the long-standing ties between Morocco and South Africa, recalling the North African country's support for anti-apartheid movements. 'We are here in our country that we have been with for years,' he said, noting historical exchanges and shared visions. 'We believe that Africa must do better, and we believe that we are going to succeed in doing so.' An official statement on behalf of the MK Party stated, 'We are very delighted and honored to be here in Rabat to deepen the historical bond between our two countries,' recalling Nelson Mandela's 1962 training in Oujda and the support Morocco extended to liberation movements across the continent. A 'balanced path' toward stability and peace The statement described the MK Party's stance as part of a broader effort to 'bring a practical solution to the long-standing debacle on the future of the Western Sahara region.' 'Our party believes that this autonomy proposal allows for significant local governance by the people of the Western Sahara region while ensuring that Morocco retains its crucial sovereignty,' the statement affirmed. 'This approach offers a balanced path forward that promotes both stability, peace and development in the region.' The statement also urged the international community to support the Moroccan Autonomy Plan, saying it is the most effective route toward lasting peace and prosperity in Western Sahara. 'This echoes more than ever with South Africa as our country battles against internal forces aimed at breaking our territorial integrity,' he added. The MK Party's endorsement marks a stark departure from the traditional position of South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC), which has long backed the Polisario Front. Zuma's move may signal a growing divergence within South African politics regarding Western Sahara and broader continental alliances. The statement concluded with a firm recognition of Morocco's territorial claims: 'Morocco's effort to reclaim its full territorial integrity aligns with our party's commitment to preserving the sovereignty and the unity of the African state.' Tags: autonomy planBouritaMoroccoSouth AfricaWestern saharaZuma

MK Party heading to ConCourt to challenge appointment of interim police minister
MK Party heading to ConCourt to challenge appointment of interim police minister

Eyewitness News

timea day ago

  • Politics
  • Eyewitness News

MK Party heading to ConCourt to challenge appointment of interim police minister

CAPE TOWN - The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party said it was heading to the Constitutional Court to challenge a decision to appoint an interim police minister. The party said that there was no provision in the Constitution for a minister to be placed on special leave, neither for two ministers to be appointed to the same portfolio at the same time. Making the announcement, the MK Party's parliamentary leader, John Hlophe, said that he'd been given the green light to challenge President Cyril Ramaphosa's Sunday announcement to suspend Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and use his constitutional prerogative to appoint a parliamentary outsider to lead the department in the interim. The party also does not support the establishment of a commission of inquiry to investigate claims of corruption, infiltration and capture of the South African Police Service (SAPS). The MK Party wants Ramaphosa to fire Mchunu, saying there was enough evidence to show he'd misled Parliament and the country on several occasions. Hlophe said that the party had approached Parliament's ethics committee to investigate Mchunu. "We are dealing with a minister who has serious allegations, with a history of lying. I've openly called him a pathological liar. When it comes to lying, he excels." Hlophe said that court papers were already being drafted to approach the country's top court to challenge the appointment of a Firoz Cachalia to head the police ministry while Mchunu was on leave. "The issues are of a serious nature. There is so much at stake. Time is not on our side. We can't go to the high court and waste time." The MK Party said that a commission of inquiry into the police was a waste of time and taxpayers' money, saying that the police commissioner should act on the allegations made against senior officials who were reportedly stalling investigations.

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