Traditional Leaders Withdraw Support for MK Party, SA Split As They Accuse Jacob Zuma of Disrespect
- The Transvaal Kingdom State of Monarchs are unhappy with the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party
- The group of traditional leaders represent royal houses across Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Limpopo, and North West
- South Africans shared differing opinions on the group's statement and Jacob Zuma's attitude towards the leaders
Source: Getty Images
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
KWAZULU-NATAL – The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party could be set to lose a lot of backing before the 2026 Local Government Elections.
The party is set to lose the support of a powerful group of traditional leaders who feel disrespected by the former South African president Jacob Zuma and his political party. The Transvaal Kingdom State of Monarchs, which represents royal houses across Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Limpopo, and North West, has warned that the party will feel the effects of its withdrawal come next year’s election.
The group includes King Ndzundza II (Ndzundza kaMusi Kingdom), King Lekhuleni (Mohwaduba Royal Kingdom), King Ntsele, Queen Sheba, King Manana, and the AmaNguni Royal Kingdom.
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Why did the group cut ties with the party?
The group announced on Tuesday, 5 August 2025, that it was officially severing all relations with the party, accusing it of repeatedly humiliating Amakhosi and treating them as political pawns.
The nail in the coffin came on Sunday, 3 August 2025, when dozens of monarchs were invited to Nkandla, but then turned away by police officers.
“We were invited to the Zuma homestead for a meeting with the former president. We travelled from different provinces, only to be told by SA Police Service members that Zuma was not in Nkandla and would not be seeing us,” a statement from the group read.
The group also claimed that they received a confusing series of communications from the party, which included a message of a postponement, and then another message confirming that the meeting was still on.
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Traditional leaders are tired of poor treatment
The Transvaal Kingdom State also complained about other times when they believed they were treated with a lack of respect by the party. The leaders said that they also received poor treatment at the launch of the People’s Mandate at Orlando Stadium in May 2024 and the first anniversary celebration at Moses Mabhida Stadium in December 2024.
With less than a year to go until the elections, the monarchs are taking a stand, adding that the voters in their communities are also taking note.
“We have learnt a valuable lesson, particularly in the context of the 2026 Local Government Elections. The treatment we received is a harbinger of what we can expect if the MK takes over in our jurisdictions and territories,” the statement warned.
Source: Getty Images
The traditional leaders are planning to hold a press conference on 1 September, when they will discuss their complaints and decide whether they will support a different political formation going forward.
You can view the statement below.
The traditional leaders aren't the only ones who have criticised the party. Floyd Shivambu aimed at the party, saying it would not exist in the next 10 years. Shivambu made the comments at a consultation meeting for his new potential political party, which he is considering starting after he was removed as Secretary-General of the MK Party.
How did South Africans react?
Social media users weighed in on the development, and while many said they weren’t surprised, others said the traditional leaders needed to be neutral.
Khuthadzo Mulaudzi asked:
“Why am I not surprised?”
Khalid Farrakhan said:
“He is bigger than them.”
Bheki Sibeko stated:
“The King of Nkandla himself.”
Andile Jama added:
“The family stokvel is sinking slowly but surely.”
Mandla H. Ncayiyana asked:
“Why drag traditional leaders to the political party space? They are supposed to be dikgoshi to all their subjects, irrespective of political affiliation.”
Kamohelo Vho Calvin stated:
“He was done using them like everyone else.”
Makhulukhulu Akhona Hlubilekhethu said:
“Traditional leaders need to be neutral, not taking sides by supporting a political party like that Abathembu king, who is always talking nonsense.”
Jabulani Sithole exclaimed:
“Chew and spit them out, Msholozi. You didn't force them to blindly follow you. They did that willingly.”
Intelligence Centre asked:
“The very same traditional leaders who endorse the corrupt ANC? The last thing they should talk about is respect. They don't deserve any respect. The same with prominent religious leaders.”
Religious leaders threaten shutdown in support of MK Party
Briefly News reported in January 2024 that religious leaders threatened to shut the country down with violence.
The group in KZN warned of protests if the MK Party did not emerge victorious at the 2024 General Elections.
The group demanded that the Independent Electoral Commission ensure the party wins.
KZN traditional leader to appear in court for allegedly raping teenager
Meanwhile, earlier this year, Briefly News reported that an induna in KwaZulu-Natal was arrested after he allegedly raped a teenager after he reportedly gave the teen a lift from eGqumeni. The then Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, condemned the act and called on traditional leaders to play a role in creating safe communities.
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Source: Briefly News
