A fake intelligence report was used in a plot to get Sibonelo Nomvalo, the eighth Secretary-General of the Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) in two years, expelled from the party.
A senior member of the party in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature is behind the scheme, according to an MK Party source. The source said the person fabricated the report and misled the party's caucus leader, inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza, into believing the allegations.
Last week, Chiliza wrote a letter to the party's top leadership calling for an investigation into Nomvalo. The letter claimed Nomvalo was funded by a rival political party, guarded by hitmen, and should be removed immediately. The letter was circulated to the party's leadership, including the Royalty and Traditional Leadership wing.
When Nomvalo learned of the allegations, he demanded proof and asked the leadership to take action against Chiliza for spreading lies.
The source said Chiliza has since reached out to Nomvalo and admitted he was misled by people he thought had genuine information.
“The person that is behind a plot to sow divisions within the party is now known. This person misled inkosi Chiliza claiming to have an intelligence report that the SG is driving a car purchased by a rival politician and his bodyguards are hitmen. The so-called intelligence report was fake,” said the source.
The party's Royalty and Traditional Leadership structure intervened, issuing a statement calling for calm. The statement, released by its spokesperson Prince Mandlakapheli kaMkhulumeleni Zulu, said the matter is being handled through internal processes.
“It is our view that the circulation of such information was deliberately concocted by individuals whose intentions are to create confusion, sow divisions, and cause instability within the organisation. These actions are aimed at undermining the unity, discipline, and collective purpose that have always been the foundation of our movement,” the statement read.
The structure urged members and supporters not to engage in unnecessary debates or spread unverified information on social media.
“We encourage everyone to exercise restraint and allow the relevant structures the space required to conclude their work without interference,” the statement concluded.
Attempts to get comments from Chiliza and Nomvalo were unsuccessful. Party leader Jacob Zuma is expected to address the matter in a media briefing on Thursday.
Nomvalo became the MK Party's eighth Secretary-General in two years, a sign of the instability within the party's top ranks. The party, formed by former president Jacob Zuma, has seen frequent leadership changes since its launch.