Apologise or face the consequences, Zuma tells dau...

Apologise or face the consequences, Zuma tells daughter Duduzile

Gilbert Munetsi

Zim Now Writer

The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has responded swiftly to a series of inflammatory social media posts made by Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former President Jacob Zuma by reigning her in. She has thus been ordered to apologise or risk legal consequnces that may see her get expelled from the party she helped found.

Her comments, which directly attacked the party’s Secretary-General, Floyd Shivambhu, have been deemed offensive and in violation of the party’s disciplinary code.

In a string of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Zuma-Sambudla described the Secretary-General as the "worst thing to ever happen to the MK Party," sparking outrage within the organization. The party condemned her remarks as “unacceptable, divisive, denigrating, and offensive,” reaffirming its commitment to unity and discipline.

As a result, MK Party president Jacob Zuma has ordered his daughter to issue an unconditional public apology—not only to the Secretary-General but also to him, party members, supporters, and the broader South African public. Additionally, she must extend her apology to all party structures she is involved in or leads.

The party has confirmed that an internal disciplinary process will be launched to formally address the matter. A statement from the MK Party warned that failure to comply with the directives could result in “severe consequences, including the immediate termination of her membership and removal from all party responsibilities.”

This is not the first time Zuma-Sambudla has courted controversy. She has a history of making provocative statements, particularly on social media. During the July 2021 unrest that led to widespread looting and violence in South Africa, she was widely criticized for posting messages that appeared to support and encourage the riots following her father’s imprisonment. Her social media activity during that period led to calls for legal action against her, though she was never formally charged.

More recently, she has used her platform to attack political opponents and critics of her father, often posting content that fuels political tensions. This latest controversy underscores ongoing tensions within the MK Party and raises questions about the influence of Jacob Zuma’s inner circle on the party’s leadership and direction.

The MK Party has emphasized that no member, regardless of their status, is above the party’s Constitution and Code of Conduct, reinforcing its stance on discipline and accountability.