The dismissal of Nhlamulo Ndlhela as the deputy chief whip of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has not caused the party to disintegrate, according to deputy president John Hlophe.
Hlophe, the MKP’s parliamentary leader, said that redeployment occurs for strategic reasons rather than out of personal preference.
“I see no reason why the redeployment, the fact that Nhlamulo Ndhlela is no longer a whip, should be in the headlines,” Hlophe said.
“It doesn’t indicate that the party is falling apart. We have been here. I have been here in parliament leading this caucus for over a year now, and the party is not falling apart.”
Mngxitama rejoins whippery team
He clarified that it was somewhat difficult to inform Ndhlela that his position as deputy whip had been terminated because he said he had not received the letter of termination.
Despite being handed the letter, Ndhlela attended a whippery meeting and was informed that he would receive it following the meeting.
After receiving the letter, Ndhlela contended that Jacob Zuma, the party president, ought to approve his dismissal, according to Hlophe.
“I am a deputy president, and the president made it very clear that I must not be a crybaby on issues relating to parliament.
“If there are any changes of a structural nature, changes that are necessitated because we want to make ourselves effective, I have a say in that regard, subject to conferring with him where necessary,” he said.
He also announced the return of Andile Mngxitama to the whippery team.
Makhubele remains chief whip
He also disputed and dismissed claims that the caucus wanted to remove Colleen Makhubele from the position of chief whip, highlighting that Makhubele, who has been serving for a month, has been doing well.
“If any complaint is made against any staff member or any MP, it is brought to me because I am ultimately responsible.
“There is no letter; there is no petition in terms of which MPs are calling for the head of the chief whip.
“This is a figment of someone’s imagination, quite frankly. I would have been the first person to receive that petition.
“Obviously, if the petition is against me, I would not expect the MPs to give it to me; they would probably give it to the chief whip, who would in turn forward it to the president sitting in Nkandla comfortably,” Hlophe said.
Zuma did not receive any complaints about Makhubele so far, and this meant she remained in position until, according to Hlophe, she was recalled strategically.
