In a dramatic escalation of internal turmoil, South Africa’s uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) suspended its deputy president and parliamentary leader, Dr. John Hlophe, on Wednesday, nullifying his recent decision to replace chief whip Colleen Makhubele with Des van Rooyen — a move that had only been announced hours earlier. The precautionary suspension, issued by party founder and president Jacob Zuma upon his return from a trip to Burkina Faso, underscores deepening factional rifts within the third-largest party in Parliament.
The developments, outlined in two rapid-fire statements from the MKP’s Office of the Presidency, reflect Zuma’s assertion of authority amid accusations of unilateral decision-making by Hlophe. The party emphasized its commitment to “collective leadership” and internal discipline, but the swift reversals have fueled speculation of a power struggle that could hobble MKP’s legislative effectiveness.
“The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) wishes to inform its members, supporters and general public that, upon His Excellency President Jacob Zuma’s arrival from a successful trip to Burkina Faso, His Excellency met with MKP’s National Officials and received the briefing about changes effected at the National Assembly without a collective consultation,” the first statement read.
Zuma “has taken a decision to issue a precautionary suspension to the Party’s Deputy President and the Leader of the MKP Parliament Caucus Dr. John Hlophe from both his leadership roles with immediate effect, pending a full investigation on his conduct.”
The statement explicitly nullified Hlophe’s order removing Makhubele and appointing van Rooyen, declaring it “therefore nullified.” A follow-up assurance from party head of presidency Magasela Mzobe reiterated that the organization “remains stable, focused and steadfast in pursuing its mission to bring about genuine transformation and justice for the people of South Africa.”
Dr. Mandlakayise John Hlophe, 66, a former Western Cape Judge President impeached in 2024 for gross misconduct — the first judge removed in South Africa’s democratic era — joined MKP shortly after his impeachment and quickly rose to deputy president and parliamentary leader. His academic career began in the late 1980s as a legal scholar at the University of Natal and the University of Transkei, specializing in administrative law, before his 1995 appointment to the Cape High Court bench.
Hlophe’s tenure as Judge President from 2000 was marred by controversy, including a failed 2008 impeachment bid over alleged attempts to influence Constitutional Court judges in favor of Zuma during corruption trials. The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) later found him guilty of misconduct in 2024, leading to his impeachment by Parliament in May of that year.
In MKP, Hlophe’s leadership has been turbulent. He spearheaded post-election challenges to the 2024 results and clashed with figures like former whip Mzwanele Manyi over State of the Nation Address speeches in February 2025. Earlier this year, he fired spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela in July 2025 for alleged defiance, amid reports of petitions against Makhubele — claims Hlophe dismissed as false. In June 2025, Zuma publicly blamed Hlophe for a legal blunder in a Mpumalanga expulsion case involving provincial leader Gcina Phadi, who alleged sexual harassment by Hlophe.
Wednesday’s suspension, described as precautionary pending investigation, bars Hlophe from parliamentary and party activities. On X, reactions ranged from shock to schadenfreude, with one user posting: “Zuma throws Hlophe under the bus — again. MKP’s leadership carousel spins faster than the rand in 2015.”
The saga traces back to Tuesday, when MKP spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela announced van Rooyen’s appointment as chief whip, replacing Makhubele effective immediately. The party hailed van Rooyen, 56, a former MK operative and “Weekend Special” finance minister under Zuma in 2015, as a “seasoned cadre” with extensive academic and governance credentials, including master’s degrees from Wits University and the University of London.
Van Rooyen’s brief 2015 finance stint — ended after four days amid a 5.4% rand plunge — and later CoGTA role drew Gupta-linked corruption allegations. He joined MKP in 2024 after leaving the ANC and was sworn in as an MP in August.
Makhubele, 45, a businesswoman-turned-politician with an MBA and tech background, had been chief whip since May 2025 — her fourth in MKP’s whip lineup since July 2024, following Sihle Ngubane and Mzwanele Manyi. Her rapid party-hopping (COPE to her own SARA alliance to MKP) and Johannesburg speaker role drew both praise for coalition savvy and criticism for volatility.
X posts speculated on Makhubele’s ouster, citing vetting failures for Parliament’s Intelligence Committee, lobbying for her husband’s appointment, and defiance of Hlophe. 14 With Hlophe now suspended, Makhubele is reinstated, leaving van Rooyen’s role in limbo.
As one X observer quipped: “MKP: Where suspensions are precautionary, but drama is mandatory. KZN’s next premier might last a week.”
The party insists unity prevails, but with Hlophe sidelined and leadership in flux, MKP’s push for “genuine transformation” faces its sternest test yet.