Jacob Zuma taps former ANC chief whip Tony Yengeni as MK Party deputy

When Jacob Zuma, former president of South Africa, announced the creation of a new leadership post at the MK Party on October 23, 2025, the room in Durban buzzed with surprise. At a packed press briefing inside the party’s headquarters, Zuma unveiled Tony Yengeni as the party’s Second Deputy President, a move that instantly reshaped the opposition’s power balance. The announcement came just a day after a High Court order forced Zuma to repay R28.9 million to the State Attorney, underscoring the political drama swirling around the party.

• Who: Jacob Zuma and Tony Yengeni
• What: Creation of a Second Deputy President role
• When: 23 October 2025
• Where: Durban, KwaZulu‑Natal
• Why: To free First Deputy President John Hlophe for parliamentary duties and strengthen party administration

Background of the MK Party

The MK Party, named after the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC), re‑emerged in 2022 as a formal political entity under Zuma’s leadership. Since its launch, the party has claimed a rapid climb from obscurity to becoming “one of the bigger parties in the country,” according to Zuma’s own words. Election analysts note that its support base now stretches across Gauteng, the Eastern Cape, and parts of the Western Cape, challenging the ANC’s traditional dominance.

Critics, however, argue that the party’s rhetoric masks a nostalgia‑driven agenda that leans heavily on the liberation struggle’s symbolism. Regardless, the MK Party’s rise has forced the ruling ANC to recalibrate its campaign strategy ahead of the 2026 national elections.

The New Deputy President Appointment

During the briefing, Zuma explained why the party needed a second deputy: “John Hlophe has to concentrate on parliamentary work and legal battles; he can’t also manage the day‑to‑day operations at our headquarters.” By adding Yengeni, Zuma said the party could “strengthen the work of our party because we are looking forward, not backward.”

Yengeni, a former ANC chief whip who left the party after a bitter fallout with Secretary‑General Fikile Mbalula, accepted the role with a stirring declaration: “The MK Party is the only organisation that I see has the potential to truly liberate the people of South Africa.” He also invoked his exile days, pointing to a bond forged in prisons and underground cells that still guides his political compass.

Reactions from Key Figures

John Hlophe, the First Deputy President and leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, welcomed the appointment, saying it would allow him to “focus fully on parliamentary oversight without being distracted by office administration.”

The ANC’s spokesperson, Nomvula Dlamini, called the move “a desperate attempt to steal former ANC talent,” and warned that Yengeni’s switch could deepen internal fractures within the ruling party.

Political analyst Prof. Thabo Mokoena of the University of Pretoria noted, “Yengeni’s defection is symbolic. He brings a blend of legislative experience and revolutionary credentials that could make the MK Party a serious contender, especially in provinces where ANC loyalty is eroding.”

Legal Context: Zuma’s Court Order

The timing of the appointment is impossible to ignore. On October 22, 2025, the High Court of South Africa ordered Zuma to repay R28.9 million after it found he had misused state funds to cover private legal fees. The judgment, handed down by Justice Miriam Nkosi, emphasized that “public funds must not be diverted for personal legal battles.”

Zuma framed the new leadership structure as a safeguard against his advancing age, telling reporters, “Another leader who will also be with us all the time… because I am sure you all know about my advanced age.” He added that Yengeni’s appointment was part of a “long‑term plan to take the mountain, not look at the other side of it.”

Political Implications and Future Outlook

With the MK Party now fielding a three‑tier leadership—Zuma as President, Hlophe as First Deputy, and Yengeni as Second Deputy—the opposition is poised to project a more organized front in the upcoming municipal and national elections. The party’s internal restructuring also sends a clear signal to potential defectors: there’s room at the top for seasoned politicians seeking a fresh platform.

For the ANC, Yengeni’s loss is a stark reminder of its own internal turmoil. Since Cyril Ramaphosa’s ascent to the presidency in 2018, the party has seen a spate of high‑profile resignations, from former finance minister Des van Rooyen to veteran educator Naledi Chirwa. The loss of Yengeni, a former chief whip with deep parliamentary knowledge, could weaken the ANC’s legislative maneuverability, especially if the MK Party starts to siphon votes in swing constituencies.

International observers, including the Southern African Development Community (SADC), have noted the fluidity of South Africa’s political landscape, suggesting that “the emergence of new power blocs could either invigorate democratic competition or fragment the opposition if not managed carefully.”

Historical Perspective on Defections

South Africa’s post‑apartheid era is littered with high‑profile party switches. In the early 2000s, former ANC members formed the United Democratic Movement, while more recent years have seen the rise of parties like the Economic Freedom Fighters, founded by expelled ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema. Yengeni’s move follows this pattern, yet it is unique because he joins a party that bears the name of the ANC’s former armed wing, effectively turning a liberation legacy against its original political home.

History suggests such defections can be double‑edged. While they may bring fresh legitimacy to fledgling parties, they also risk alienating core supporters who view loyalty as a cornerstone of South African politics. Whether the MK Party can navigate this delicate balance remains to be seen.