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Former South African president Jacob Zuma has appointed his son, Duduzane Zuma, as the first deputy president of the MK Party.
The appointment, which takes effect immediately, marks Duduzane Zuma’s highest-ranking political role and places him directly beneath his father in the party’s leadership structure.
The changes were announced alongside a broad reorganisation of the party’s leadership, with several senior officials removed or reassigned as Jacob Zuma tightened his grip on the party’s political, administrative and financial affairs.
Former Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe was relieved of his role as first deputy president but retained his position as the MK Party’s parliamentary leader in the National Assembly.
Veteran politician Tony Yengeni was confirmed as the party’s second deputy president.
Duduzane Zuma’s promotion is expected to reignite debate about the party’s future leadership.
Although he has sought to build a political profile in recent years, including campaigning within the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal, he has never held elective office or served in Parliament.
His elevation places him ahead of several senior figures who helped build the MK Party into a formidable political force ahead of South Africa’s 2024 general election.
The leadership overhaul also affected other top positions.
Former Police Minister Nathi Nhleko was removed as national chairperson and replaced by Reverend Phakathi, whose appointment was announced without further details about his background.
Nomsa Dlamini was dismissed as deputy secretary-general, with Lindiwe Mtshali appointed as her replacement.
Former KwaZulu-Natal Premier Willies Mchunu was appointed to the party’s Presidency Collective, where he will provide strategic and organisational advice while continuing as the MK Party’s provincial leader in KwaZulu-Natal.
The latest restructuring is the most significant in a series of internal changes since the MK Party’s emergence as a major opposition force in the 2024 elections.
The party has experienced repeated leadership disputes, dismissals and organisational changes as it seeks to consolidate its position.
Jacob Zuma also announced the immediate dissolution of the Strategic Presidential Team and declared that the party would not honour debts, contracts or financial obligations entered into without proper authorisation, signalling concerns over decisions made by the now-disbanded body.
To replace it, he reinstated the Presidential Task Team under his direct leadership.
Zandile “Zandi” Hlophe and Sibonelo Maphumulo were named as the task team’s authorised representatives and official signatories with the Electoral Commission of South Africa.
Zuma further directed the party’s secretary-general and treasurer-general to resume their duties, lifting a moratorium that had affected the party’s finances, secretariat and communications.
The latest decisions consolidate Jacob Zuma’s authority over the MK Party’s political, administrative and financial operations while elevating his son to the party’s second-highest office.
The reshuffle also comes amid reports of a forensic investigation involving the party.
Zuma said he had neither received nor reviewed the reported findings and instructed that the report and all supporting documents be submitted to him before any action is taken.
He said any decisions would be made only after he had personally examined the evidence. The statement did not identify who commissioned the investigation, what it covered or whether any party officials were implicated.
Zuma also reaffirmed Sifiso Mahlangu as the MK Party’s sole authorised spokesperson, stating that he remains the only official permitted to speak on behalf of the party.
