Analysts urge patience as MKP builds itself

Some political analysts are sympathetic to the uMkhonto weSizwe Party’s (MKP) recent gaffe in the National Assembly.

The country’s official opposition party drew the ire of the public after its chief whip Colleen Makhubele “mistakenly” voted in favour of the Appropriation Bill on Wednesday, which the party had been against.

The blunder led to the passing of the draft of the proposed law that’s supported by the Government of National Unity (GNU).

Absolute confusion within MK party as they vote in support of the overall budget after rejecting all individual budget votes.

Watch for yourself. I am just embarrassed on their behalf 🤦🏾😭😂😂 pic.twitter.com/D9OosSxQsH

— Mazwi Blose – MP (@mazwiblose2) July 23, 2025

Political analyst, Bongani Mahlangu, however, believes South Africans should give the party some grace.

He urges South Africans to put every into perspective and consider who Colleen Makhubele is.

Mahlangu rejects claims that she is incompetent and probably deliberately sabotaged the party.

According to the analyst, Makhubele’s track record as Speaker of Johannesburg should speak into her ability.

He says she also stands to lose a lot for her to intentionally go against the party line, as MKP easily removes officials.

“And we have seen that, not just from parliamentarians that they would have deployed, especially the first batch that they submitted after elections were declared last year, but even within the functionaries of the organisation, like their SGs, which is, I think, the most common one,” adds the analyst.

“So if you know that you are in such an organisation where you can easily be removed, you are in an organisation where, from what they would have uttered from the press briefing, that you have a Duduzile Zuma who’s problematic; you have Nhlamulo Ndhlela who’s problematic within the caucus of the MK(P), and the problematic individuals are opposed to, or to some extent, opposed to the leader of MK in Parliament, Dr (John) Hlophe, and the chief whip, which in this case is Colleen Makhubele.”

 

Governance analyst, Professor Sam Koma, agrees.

He says what happened in Parliament on Wednesday highlights the need for continued inductions of members.

Professor Koma says it also speaks to the fatigue that some Members of Parliament might experience due to the endless debates in the National Assembly.

 

While the MK Party has downplayed the incident, some social media users believe the blunder is typical of the party, which they slam as disorganised.

MK Party in parliament is a joke 😂 pic.twitter.com/fm2aZgKmSj

— Thabiso (@Thabiso_T_) July 23, 2025

When the EFF wins a ward, MK morons disappear from he timeline but make noise when we do badly.

This is the same party fumbles in legislatures and Parliament.

In KZN, MK MPLs voted differently. In the National Assembly they voted in support of a Bill they disagree with.

— TakaSyo (@Real_RIvolution) July 24, 2025

This is shocking 😳😳

So apparently the educated long standing former speaker of @CityofJoburgZA Colleen Makhubele has said in a media response that when they voted for Cyril Ramaphosa Budget Speech & Land Appropriation Bill they were not aware what they were really voting for… pic.twitter.com/VhvdRy7P03

— @ BizGuru (@BizGuru4) July 24, 2025

Yes we all make mistakes but this mistake by Chief Whip Colleen Makhubele is well deserved. They are so disorganised. Kubi pha

— Lebohang Phaleng (@jazZ_lezinto) July 23, 2025