Expelled uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) founder Jabulani Khumalo has been dealt another heavy blow.
This time, his attempt to meet former president Jacob Zuma was snubbed. Sunday World understands that Khumalo wanted Zuma to intervene and clarify his status within the party after the party decision-making body known as the national leadership core sent him packing.
Zuma’s daughter confirms the snub
“Just checked President Zuma’s diary and there is definitely no meeting scheduled with former member of MK Party, [Jabulani] Khumalo and there’s definitely no room for love back,” read the cold message from Zuma’s daughter Duduzile Zuma.
It is believed that Khumalo wanted to meet Zuma to mend hostile relations. He also wanted to assure the former head of state that there was no bad blood between the pair.
Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela issued a statement confirming the matter. He explained that Khumalo and four other members were shown the door for going rogue. He, however, did not shed light on the nature of the offences which warranted their expulsion.
“At a meeting by the national leadership core, and in light of the attempts by external forces to destabilise the MK Party, a decision was taken to expel the members,” Ndhlela explained.
Expelled with five others
Khumalo was expelled along with Rochelle Davidson, Ray Khumalo, Bheki Manzini and Lebo Moepeng. Davidson is also known in the party ranks as Gogo Mahlalentabeni.
But Khumalo is not going down without a fight. “I’m still a member of the MK Party. Nobody owns the organisation. Not me, not Zuma, it belongs to the organisation.”
Forged signatures allegations
As the party branded around the political cult of Zuma implodes, other aggrieved former members have resorted to turning on the heat. They have approached the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), accusing their former party of forging signatures to contest elections.
They hope that the revelation will prompt the IEC to disqualify the MK party from contesting the highly anticipated provincial and national elections.
Apart from the five suspended senior members, former director general in the KZN provincial cabinet Nhlanhla Ngidi was also given his marching orders. He was the party’s KZN premier candidate.
