Dali Mpofu Says Reports About MK Party Wanting Cyril Ramaphosa Removed Were Misleading

uMkhonto weSizwe Party coalition negotiator Advocate Dali Mpofu has rejected reports that the party made President Cyril Ramaphosa’s removal as ANC leader a precondition for a coalition agreement after the 2024 general election.

Mpofu said the reported condition misrepresented the MK Party’s position. His clarification comes as parties begin negotiating coalitions after the 2026 local government elections, with the MK Party signalling that it is prepared to hear proposals from potential partners before deciding whether to cooperate.

The party’s position follows earlier statements ruling out an ANC coalition while Ramaphosa remained president of the ANC. Mpofu has now said the party will not enter current negotiations with preconditions, and will assess what other parties offer.

He said municipal coalitions should focus primarily on local government and service delivery. Political differences remain relevant, but should not dominate discussions over how councils are run, according to his comments to broadcaster 702.

The MK Party made a strong showing in the 2026 local elections, emerging as the third-largest party nationally and winning 34.35% of the vote in KwaZulu-Natal, where it recorded its strongest support. The results leave it positioned to influence coalition arrangements in councils where no party has secured a majority.

The party has appointed a national negotiating team to handle discussions. Mpofu is part of the team, alongside first deputy president Duduzane Zuma, second deputy president Tony Yengeni, KwaZulu-Natal provincial convenor Willies Mchunu, acting secretary-general Lindi Mtshali-Makhubu, national chairperson Mxolisi Phakathi and former treasurer-general Dr Thanti Mthanti.

Mpofu has said coalition partners should be assessed on their political alignment, ability to govern, financial sustainability, integrity and willingness to honour commitments. The team’s mandate is to ensure any agreement is consistent with the party’s policies, including its positions on land. The party has also said that final approval of proposed agreements rests with its leadership.

His latest comments distinguish the party’s current municipal negotiations from its earlier political stance toward the ANC at national level. The MK Party has not promised to enter a coalition with the ANC, but Mpofu’s account indicates that it is willing to hear proposals rather than rule out talks in advance.

Whether that openness leads to an agreement will depend on the negotiations and the parties’ policy commitments. No coalition deal has been confirmed. For now, Mpofu’s message is that the MK Party wants to consider practical proposals, while rejecting the claim that removing Ramaphosa was a formal condition for coalition talks.

The discussions are unfolding as councils work to establish administrations following the vote. In municipalities without an outright majority, negotiations will determine which parties can form a governing coalition and how responsibilities are shared.

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