Zuma-Sambudla apologises for her rant about Shivambu

MK party MP Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of party leader Jacob Zuma, has apologised for posting scathing tweets about secretary-general Floyd Shivambu that labelled him the “worst thing that has happened to the party”.

In a statement on Monday, Zuma ordered his daughter to apologise and face disciplinary action.

“As a committed and disciplined member of the MK party, I hereby extend this unconditional public apology to president Zuma and MK party leadership for the profanity used in my recent posts on X,” she said.

In a series of tweets, Zuma-Sambudla took a jab at Shivambu, who joined the party in August after defecting from the EFF, saying she is the real co-founder of the MK party.

“Floyd, I’m not scared of you. Tell your minions to f*** off, bloody mafikizolos [newbies],” she said on X. “F** you, Floyd,” another tweet read. “Worst thing that happened to the MK party,” she wrote.

She added that though the party might expel her for her actions, she would accept that outcome. “They will expel me tomorrow. It is well with my soul. Still, Floyd is useless.”

In her apology, Zuma-Sambudla said: “While I hold strong personal views, including serious concerns about internal party matters, my perceptions of how certain issues may be handled in the organisation, especially by the party’s secretary-general, I fully recognise that such concerns should have been and shall be addressed through the proper internal channels, as dictated by the core values and principles of the glorious movement of the people.

“I acknowledge that expressing these grievances publicly was unfortunate and may have undermined the unity, discipline and respect that defines the MK party.”

She said her use of profanity was neither intended to be nor a reflection of the “revolutionary discipline, respect and solidarity” the organisation upheld under Zuma’s leadership.

“To president Zuma of the MK party, the entire leadership, members, supporters of the MK party and the people of South Africa, I wish to assure you that I never intended to harm the integrity of the party or the values it upholds. Hence, my deepest apology for any offence caused in this regard.

“I offer formal apologies to all the structures I serve in whose roles and responsibilities I carry with the utmost humility and commitment. I hope my apology is received in the spirit of accountability, revolutionary solidarity and a genuine commitment to upholding the values of the MK party.”

She said she was prepared and committed to co-operate with any internal processes the party deemed necessary, as part of her dedication to the ideals of discipline, respect and unity.

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