Even before uMkhonto weZiswe Party (MKP) MP Edward Mzikayise Ntshingila was laid to rest, his death became the centre of a bitter dispute involving allegations that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and suspended former party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela were barred from attending his funeral and memorial service.
The controversy unfolded ahead of Ntshingila's funeral on Sunday at Johannesburg's Westpark Cemetery. Ntshingila, 43, a member of Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI) and the MKP's former national elections manager, died on June 4 following an illness.
His death triggered tensions within both the party and sections of his family. At the heart of the dispute are claims that Zuma-Sambudla and Ndhlela were instructed not to attend events commemorating Ntshingila's life. They were warned they would be forcibly removed if they did so.
The disagreement appears to stem from divisions within Ntshingila's family. His maternal relatives, who use the Kubheka surname, openly supported Zuma-Sambudla and Ndhlela's attendance at both the memorial service and funeral.
Who allegedly issued the instructions to prevent them from attending isn't clear. According to sources close to the matter, Zuma-Sambudla has been accused of interfering with Ntshingila's personal affairs, including his belongings and bank cards. Ndhlela has been accused of spreading claims that Ntshingila's illness was the result of poisoning.
No evidence has been presented publicly to substantiate either allegation.
Ndhlela strongly denied spreading rumours about the cause of Ntshingila's illness.
"I never met the father, mother, wife, sisters or anyone else in the family. How could I have made those allegations?" he said.
He confirmed that he and Zuma-Sambudla were told their presence at the funeral events was unwelcome.
"We received a call. The party spokesperson called the head of communications, who then called Dudu and said we must not attend because they don't want us there and that we would be removed violently," said Ndhlela.
He alleged that recently appointed MKP spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu had instructed head of communications Sipho Tyira to communicate the message.
According to Ndhlela, the dispute was rooted in internal political tensions within the MKP.
"The problem is that there are people who have recently come on board who are not happy with the relationship between Dudu and myself. They are fighting us, which is expected in a political environment," he said.
Ndhlela described Ntshingila as one of their closest allies within the party.
"He was closer to us than almost anyone else in the party from day one," he said.
Despite the alleged threats, Ndhlela said both he and Zuma-Sambudla attended the memorial service. He said they were saddened by what he described as the politicisation of a close friend's death.
"Settling political scores using one side of a family, which Muzi never lived with while we lived with him, just shows that there is no more ubuntu," he said.
However, Tyira flatly denied that he had ever communicated any instruction preventing Zuma-Sambudla and Ndhlela from attending the memorial service or funeral.
"There is no story here. You must ask him which day I called and how I communicated such a message," said Tyira.
"Generally, in matters involving funerals and death, because they are sensitive and involve families and children, I do not involve myself in sensationalism."
Tyira said Ntshingila had been a colleague and friend and that he respected the family's grief.
"I generally do not like anything that sensationalises death, especially before a person has even been buried," he said.
Neither Zuma-Sambudla nor Mahlangu responded to questions sent to them on Thursday and Friday, respectively.
Meanwhile, Ntshingila's cousin, Pule Kubheka, who is acting as spokesperson for the maternal side of the family, publicly defended Zuma-Sambudla and Ndhlela.
Kubheka released a statement on behalf of the family on Wednesday, which Zuma-Sambudla shared on her X account, and added: "Some Leaders Have Made It Their Full Time Job To Try And Deal With @NhlamuloNdhlela And I, Even In Our Time Of Grief."
Kubheka said the family was disturbed by reports that the pair had been sidelined, excluded, or discouraged from participating in events honouring Ntshingila.
"Equally concerning are the public and private attacks that have reportedly been directed at Ms Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and Hon Nhlamulo Ndhlela. These are individuals who stood with the family during our darkest hours and whose only concern throughout this tragedy was the well-being of Muzi and those who loved him," the statement read.
Speaking telephonically, Kubheka said the matter had since been resolved and that both parties were welcome at the funeral.