Duduzile Zuma-Sambundla apologises for her expletive-laden X posts about Floyd Shivambu

Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party Member of Parliament Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla has apologised for a recent expletive-laden post on X criticising the party’s secretary-general, Floyd Shivambu.

Her apology follows a warning from the party that she could face consequences if she failed to retract her comments.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Zuma-Sambudla apologised to her father, former president Jacob Zuma, as well as the party leadership. She acknowledged that she could have expressed her views in a more appropriate manner.

She however, did not mention Shivambu's name in her apology.

“While I hold firm and personal views, including serious concerns about internal party matters and how specific issues may be handled within 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 define the MK Party. My profanity was not, and should not be, a reflection of the revolutionary discipline, respect, and solidarity that our organisation, under the esteemed leadership of President Jacob Zuma, upholds,” she said.

Zuma-Sambudla stated that she never intended to harm the party’s integrity or the values it upholds. She added that she is prepared to cooperate with any internal processes deemed necessary by the party.

In some of her scathing tweets about Shivambu, she wrote, “You are the worst thing that has happened to the MK Party.”

She followed up with another thinly veiled jab, saying:

“Commanders of 16 December 2023, the real co-founders of the MK… I hear you, loud and clear. I stand with you 100 per cent. I will not forsake you.”

The remarks were widely perceived as an attack on Shivambu, who joined the MKP in August after the May elections, following his departure from the Economic Freedom Fighters, where he had served as deputy president. The MK Party was officially formed on 16 December 2023.

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