Alpha Ramushwana17 February 2025 | 13:55

Divisions between MK Party in Mpumalanga continue to play out

Former Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane and businesswoman-turned-politician Mary Phadi are both asserting their positions as Mpumalanga's convenors.

Divisions between MK Party in Mpumalanga continue to play out

FILE: Former Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane in the Pretoria High Court on 19 August 2024. Picture: Jacques Nelles/Eyewitness News

JOHANNESBURG - Divisions within the MK Party's leadership in Mpumalanga continue to play out, as two leaders continue to butt heads claiming to be the rightful provincial leaders.

Former Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane and businesswoman-turned-politician Mary Phadi are both asserting their positions as Mpumalanga's convenors.

Mkhwebane was appointed to replace Phadi in 2024 but her appointment was overturned when the courts ruled Phadi’s suspension was unconstitutional.

Two separate rallies were hosted by Mkhwebane and Phadi at the weekend forcing MK Party supporters in the provinces to pick a side.

While one faction of the MK Party’s leadership in Mpumalanga was hosting a rally, the other was welcoming 1,000 new members into the political party.

Phadi who was recognised as the legitimate provincial leader by the Mpumalanga High Court said Mkhwebane has no authority to deceive the party's supporters.

“The bottom line is that there is no Busisiwe Mkhebwnae and we need to appreciate that. It is unfortunate that have two leaders.”

However, Mkhwebane claimed that Phadi is holding on tightly to a position she has lost.

“They don’t know what’s happening. They are confused. I think the main thing is to engage the secretary general and national organiser about the behaviour and conduct of Miss Phadi.”

The MK Party’s national leadership acknowledges Mkhwebane as the rightful provincial leader but the courts beg to differ.