Newly elected uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) parliamentary chief whip Colleen Makhubele is facing calls for suspension after allegedly failing Parliament’s Intelligence Committee vetting process. Senior party insiders are now appealing to party leader and former president Jacob Zuma to intervene.
An internal MK governance report, seen by IOL, outlines a series of serious allegations against Makhubele and recommends her suspension pending further investigation. According to the report, Makhubele:
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Failed the vetting process required to serve on Parliament’s Intelligence Committee;
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Improperly lobbied for the appointment of her husband, who currently serves as chairperson of another political party, to an MK position;
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Attempted to secure a backdated service-level agreement with a company in which her husband was a director, worth R185,301.36 per month;
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Repeatedly defied party leadership, particularly Deputy President Judge John Hlophe.
Efforts to mediate between Makhubele and Hlophe have reportedly collapsed, fuelling factional divisions within the MK party.
The internal conflict has further destabilised the party, which has been marred by leadership battles since its inception less than two years ago.
Makhubele was appointed to her current role in May following the removal of her predecessor, Mzwanele Manyi, who previously served as Zuma’s spokesperson.
“Things have reached a low. It’s open warfare between Colleen and Judge Hlophe,” said one senior party source. “But we know this is part of an agenda to destabilise MK from within.”
This latest internal dispute follows closely on the heels of another crisis involving MK’s Mpumalanga leadership. Provincial chairperson and former Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane recently opened a criminal case following an alleged death threat made by suspended provincial secretary Abednico Mkhatshwa.
Another insider expressed frustration with the party’s leadership vacuum: “We lack leadership. The old man is too busy to manage these internal battles, and everyone wants to be a leader with their own favourites. That’s the problem. There’s no control — and that’s dangerous.”
Makhubele did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said he was unaware of any Intelligence Committee vetting involving Makhubele.
MK party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndlela confirmed the existence of the governance report but said it had not yet been formally tabled before the party.
Hlope did not want to comment.
IOL Politics
