Zuma pushes out Arthur Zwane as MK party SG

uMkhonto weSizwe party (MK) secretary-general Arthur Zwane has resigned with immediate effect after being pushed out by party leader Jacob Zuma.

In a letter to Zwane on Monday, Zuma instructed the secretary-general to step aside.

 “Owing to the need to use our limited and available human capital efficiently, I have decided to relinquish you from the secretary-general functions.

“I will soon engage you regarding a new role you can play in a dynamic organization as MK party. You are expected to hand over to the new secretary-general,” Zuma said.

MK party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela told The Citizen the change would be immediate.

Zwane’s work burden  

Zwane in his letter to Zuma said he was overwhelmed by work.

“In the last two weeks, I have realised that the volume of work in my office is huge and beyond my limits. Especially, because I have other competing business interests that I’m pursuing.

“I’m humbled by your confidence in me, starting from being DSG and later SG. I’ll be available to hand over to the newly appointed SG at any time,” Zwane said.

The Zuma loyalist said he would also be available part-time to help with other “organizational matters”.

New SG

Zuma has since appointed Sifiso Maseko as the new secretary-general of the MK party.

“This serves to express my heartfelt appreciation for the outstanding and priceless revolutionary work you have done since the formation of MKP. You are appointed to assume the role of secretary general of MKP.

“You are expected to perform all functions and responsibilities falling within the purview of the secretary-general’s office,” Zuma said

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Zuma hearing

Meanwhile, Zuma will face an African National Congress (ANC) disciplinary hearing later this month.

The ANC has set 17 July 2024 at 10 am as the date and time to convene the disciplinary hearing against Zuma who now leads the MK party.

The ANC said Zuma’s disciplinary hearing will take place virtually.

Zuma was expected to face an ANC disciplinary hearing in May this year for contravening party rules.

However, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula in a letter, seen by The Citizen, requested the party’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) chairperson Ralph Mgijima postpone Zuma’s hearing. He cited security concerns and fears of violence before the elections.

Charges

Zuma has been charged with two counts of contravening the ANC‘s rules, including the party’s constitution when he publicly endorsed the newly formed MK party last year and appeared on the candidate list for the party.

According to the ANC constitution’s rule 25, Zuma’s actions to not campaign or vote for the ANC was a breach of the party’s constitution.

In December, Zuma announced that he would support the MK party for the 2024 general elections because the ANC had strayed from its core values.

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