Axed MK Party secretary general hits back over ‘fake intelligence reports’

Axed MK Party secretary general Sibonelo Nomvalo has hit back at former president Jacob Zuma, accusing him of making far-reaching decisions based on hearsay, fabricated intelligence reports and unverified allegations.

Addressing the media in Durban on Friday, Nomvalo painted a picture of an ageing party leader who was increasingly vulnerable to manipulation by individuals seeking to settle political scores within the MK Party.

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Nomvalo claimed his removal was partly based on a fake photograph presented to Zuma, purportedly showing him receiving money from ANC leaders.

“He believes in anything written down,” he said.

If you go to him and say so and so is a murderer, he will say write whatever you telling me down. Based on what you have written down, he will then make a decision — it’s a crisis, he needs protection.

Nomvalo alleged that Zuma routinely treated written allegations as intelligence reports, even when they contained no credible evidence.

“If you look at what is regarded in the MK Party as an intelligence report, it could be a handwritten note with grammar and spelling errors, really rubbish,” he said.

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He claimed that several senior MK Party leaders had been removed from their positions following fabricated intelligence reports compiled by rival factions.

Citing former MK Party National Assembly chief whip Colleen Makhubela as an example, Nomvalo alleged that she was removed after individuals seeking her dismissal presented Zuma with a purported intelligence report accusing her of receiving money from Israel.

“In the so-called report, they claimed that she was receiving money from Israel,” he said.

“A decision is then made, without hearing the other version or requesting for evidence.”

Since the formation of the MK Party, Zuma has removed or demoted several senior figures, including former secretary general Floyd Shivambu, former national chairperson Nkosinathi Nhleko and former chief whip Mzwanele Manyi.

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Nomvalo also raised questions about Zuma’s whereabouts and the influence of those who continued to have access to him while he was on sick leave.

He claimed that individuals close to Zuma had recently visited the former president, “wherever he is”, and “fed him lies about me”.

“This is despite the fact that he is on sick leave,” he said.

Nomvalo further claimed that most senior MK Party leaders did not know where Zuma was staying following his discharge from a Pietermaritzburg hospital earlier this month.