‘EFF people can’t take what we built’ – Mary Phadi reclaims MK leadership in court

Mary Phadi

Cape Town – Mary Phadi has been reinstated as the Mpumalanga provincial convener of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL), and leader of the party in the legislature after the Mpumalanga High Court overturned her expulsion.

Phadi, who was ousted over alleged misappropriation of party funds, argued that the MK party’s internal procedures were not followed in her removal.

Following her court victory, Phadi expressed her commitment to the party’s goals ahead of the 2026 local government elections, emphasising her support for MK president Jacob Zuma and dismissing any animosity between them.

“The internal processes of uMkhonto weSizwe were not followed and because of that reason I have been reinstated as the convener of the province in Mpumalanga, I have also been reinstated as party leader in the legislature and I am also going to be a full member of the legislature. So, all those three positions that I held before, they are positions I was deserving to have, and are positions that were appointed by the president (Zuma).

“Surely, as uMkhonto weSizwe, we are going to 2026 and when you look at the crowd behind me, so many members, the ground is here. We will be talking to the president to say the common ground and understanding that we are not fighting uMkhonto weSizwe, we are just requesting that we must go to 2026 with our Nxamalala. We love Nxamalala.

“We are saying, these people of EFF must not come and take over what we have worked for. This province was number two in the country (in terms of votes garnered by MK party). That tells you that we have worked very hard,” said Phadi.

Phadi’s reinstatement comes as the MK party continues to prepare for upcoming elections.

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