Duduzane Zuma named as new MK Party deputy president

Duduzane Zuma has been announced as the MK Party’s new deputy president.

Dennis Delport/Netwerk24

Duduzane Zuma is now the first deputy president of the MK Party. The party announced on Tuesday that he had replaced John Hlophe. Hlophe will,however,remain the party’s parliamentary leader.“Organisational decisions aimed at strengthening the party” is how the MK Party explained its very latest wave of leadership changes,including the appointment of Duduzane Zuma as the party’s first deputy president.

The party made the announcement on Tuesday during a less-than-10-minute briefing in Durban,where they did not take questions from journalists.

Duduzane Zuma is the son of the former president and now leader of the MK Party,Jacob Zuma.

Speculation about Duduzane’s ascent to the second-highest office in his father’s party has been circulating since February this year,when he was appointed to the MK Party’s presidential task team. He is also the leader of his own political party,the All Game Changers party.

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READ | Zuma appoints son Duduzane as part of ‘eyes,ears and legs’ MKP presidential task team 

Duduzane replaced John Hlophe as first deputy president,who was relieved of his role with “immediate effect”,said party spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu.

The Zuma father-son duo sat through the briefing without saying a word.

“President Zuma extends his sincere gratitude to Dr Hlophe for his leadership,dedication and invaluable contribution to the growth and strengthening of the MK Party and wishes him well in his continued service to the organisation,” said Mahlangu.

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Hlophe would remain the party’s parliamentary leader,with the party serving as the official opposition.

Duduzane will work alongside Tony Yengeni,who remained in his position as second deputy president.

National chairperson and deputy secretary-general out too

Tuesday’s briefing saw more changes announced.

Former government minister Nathi Nhleko was removed as national chairperson,and Nomsa Dlamini was removed from her role as deputy secretary-general. Reverend Mxolisi Phakathi,a former member of the KwaZulu-Natal provincial legislature for the African Transformation Movement,and Lindiwe Mtshali,the secretary of the MK Women’s League,replaced Nhleko and Dlamini,respectively.

Willies Mchunu,the party’s KwaZulu-Natal leader,has been brought in to serve as part of the party’s presidential collective,where Mahlangu said “he will play a pivotal role in providing strategic advice,organisational guidance and support on matters requiring presidential oversight and coordination”.

This is the latest in a series of head-spinning shuffles within the party’s leadership,which was formed in December 2023.

WATCH | REAL POLITIKI: Inside the MK Party’s leadership crisis

During the briefing,Mahlangu addressed a report by Sunday World in late July,which said that R33 million had been diverted into bank accounts operating outside the party’s authorised financial system,according to a forensic report.

Mahlangu said Jacob Zuma senior noted “concern” about the reports,but the leader did not see the talked-about forensic report.

“When we see it,we will be able to respond,” said Mahlangu.

Zuma directed that the matter be formally brought to him so a report could be prepared.

Mahlangu also announced that the party’s Strategic Presidential Team had been dissolved. However,the Presidential Task Team – of which Duduzane Zuma was a member – has been reinstated just a week after it was dissolved.

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