MK Party Shakes Up Leadership

Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has made a swift leadership change in Parliament, appointing seasoned politician Des van Rooyen as its new Chief Whip with immediate effect.

The move replaces Colleen Makhubele, who has held the position for just five months amid growing internal tensions and public scrutiny.

Announced in a media statement on Tuesday, 4 November 2025, the decision highlights the party’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its parliamentary presence as it navigates its first term in the National Assembly. Van Rooyen, a veteran with deep roots in the liberation struggle, brings a wealth of experience to the role, while Makhubele’s exit comes on the heels of allegations that she failed a security vetting process – claims she has vehemently denied and demanded be retracted.
This shift is the third in the Chief Whip position for the MK Party since its strong showing in the 2024 elections, where it secured 58 seats and became the official opposition. Formed by former President Jacob Zuma in late 2023, the party has faced internal challenges, including factional disputes and leadership churn, as it establishes itself in the political landscape. The appointment aims to bring stability and strategic focus, with the party expressing full confidence in van Rooyen’s ability to advance its agenda of liberation and transformation.

Des van Rooyen’s Appointment: A Veteran Takes the Reins

The MK Party’s statement praised van Rooyen as a “seasoned cadre of the liberation movement,” noting his extensive background in both military and political spheres. Born in Klerksdorp in the North West province, van Rooyen joined the struggle in the mid-1980s, serving as an uMkhonto weSizwe operative from 1986 to 1989. He later became a soldier in the South African Defence Force from 1989 to 1994, before transitioning to civilian roles.
Van Rooyen’s academic credentials are impressive, including a Business Management Diploma, a Diploma in Municipal Governance, an Advanced Business Management Diploma, an Economic and Public Finance Diploma, a Masters in Public Development and Management from the University of the Witwatersrand, a Masters of Science in Finance (Economic Policy) from the University of London, and a Certificate in Investment and Portfolio Management. These qualifications have equipped him for a career spanning governance, economics, and public service.
Politically, van Rooyen has held various leadership positions at local, provincial, and national levels. He served as a long-standing Member of Parliament, demonstrating a deep commitment to advancing the aspirations of the oppressed and marginalised. His most notable stint was as Finance Minister in December 2015 under President Jacob Zuma, a brief appointment that lasted just a weekend but sparked market turmoil due to perceptions of instability. Despite the controversy, van Rooyen has remained a key figure in progressive politics, joining the MK Party in 2024 after leaving the African National Congress.
The party stated: “The MK Party has full confidence that under his stewardship as Chief Whip, the Parliamentary Caucus will be strengthened, disciplined and more strategically aligned with the Party’s historic mission of completing the total liberation of the South African people. We thank Comrade Colleen Makhubele the former Chief Whip for her service in this role.”
Van Rooyen’s role will involve overseeing the party’s parliamentary strategy, ensuring discipline among MPs, and aligning efforts with the MK’s goals of economic transformation and social justice.
Colleen Makhubele’s Exit: Vetting Allegations and Retraction Demand
Makhubele’s removal follows a turbulent period marked by internal calls for her suspension. Appointed in May 2025 after replacing Mzwanele Manyi, she became the party’s second Chief Whip in less than a year. Manyi had been ousted amid leadership shifts as the MK settled into Parliament.
In October 2025, an internal MK governance report recommended Makhubele’s suspension pending investigation into serious allegations, including her alleged failure to pass Parliament’s security vetting for the Intelligence Portfolio Committee. The report, which surfaced publicly, outlined concerns that she did not meet the requirements for sensitive roles, potentially due to undisclosed issues.
Makhubele fired back with a formal letter to Independent Online (IOL) on 3 November 2025, demanding an immediate retraction of an article claiming she failed the vetting. She described the claims as “baseless, false, and defamatory,” stating: “The article falsely alleges that I failed Parliament’s Intelligence Portfolio Committee vetting. This headline, along with the content of the article, is factually incorrect, misleading, and defamatory, and has caused significant harm to my reputation as the Chief Whip of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party in the National Assembly.”
She clarified that no vetting application was ever submitted on her behalf, as no determination was made regarding her eligibility. Makhubele threatened legal action if the article was not retracted, arguing it violated journalistic ethics and principles of responsible reporting. “The publication of such baseless claims, without verifying the facts, constitutes a serious breach of journalistic ethics and the principles of responsible reporting. As a public figure, I am committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and transparency, and I will not allow my name or reputation to be tarnished by unfounded accusations.”
Her background includes serving as Johannesburg’s council speaker before joining the MK Party from the Economic Freedom Fighters. Despite the controversy, the party thanked her for her service, indicating the change may stem from strategic needs rather than outright dismissal.

MK Party’s Leadership Dynamics: Frequent Changes and Internal Pressures

The MK Party, founded by Jacob Zuma after his fallout with the ANC, has experienced rapid leadership shifts since entering Parliament with 58 seats in the 2024 elections. Manyi was the first Chief Whip but was replaced by Makhubele in May 2025 amid calls for fresh direction. Now, van Rooyen’s appointment marks the third change in under a year, reflecting the party’s efforts to stabilise and align its parliamentary team with its core mission.
Internal factions and external pressures have played a role, with reports of disputes over strategy and loyalty. The vetting saga around Makhubele added fuel, leading to demands from some MPs for her removal. Despite these challenges, the party assures supporters that the new leadership will enrich its political focus and enhance its ability to represent the people’s will without compromise.
“The Party assures its supporters and the broader public that the new leadership in Parliament will enrich the work of the Caucus, sharpen its political focus and enhance its ability to represent the will of the people without compromise,” the statement read.

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MK Party

MK Party Shakes Up Leadership: Des van Rooyen Takes Over as Chief Whip Amid Makhubele Vetting Controversy

MK Party Shakes Up Leadership

Des van Rooyen’s Appointment: A Veteran Takes the Reins

MK Party’s Leadership Dynamics: Frequent Changes and Internal Pressures

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