FORMER deputy mayor of eThekwini and businessman Philani Mavundla is planning on shutting down his party, Abantu Botho Congress (ABC), and joining uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) led by his close ally, former president Jacob Zuma.

The Daily News understands that Mavundla was plotting his political comeback in eThekwini, possibly as a mayor or deputy mayor if the MKP fares well in the upcoming 2026 local government elections.

According to sources close to the matter, Mavundla and Zuma has had a series of two-men meetings where Mavundla is said to have told Zuma that he was willing to join the MKP.

“But there are conditions that Mavundla has placed on the table. Firstly, he wants to merge with the MK Party provided that he becomes the mayor of eThekwini should the party win or form a coalition after the next local government elections. We don’t know how this would go down for MK Party members. Both Mavundla and Zuma are very close, personally and politically,” said a member of the ABC party, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Sources familiar with the unfolding situation indicated that Mavundla and Zuma had engaged in a series of secret meetings, during which Mavundla expressed his willingness to merge with the MKP. However, he has outlined specific conditions, insisting on the top eThekwini seat should the MKP either win the election or negotiate a coalition.

Mavundla is a former ANC member and previously served as the mayor of Greytown. After leaving the ANC in 2013, he joined the struggling NFP formed by the late Zanele KaMagwaza-Msibi, who had ditched the IFP owing to her sour relationship with the late IFP founder Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

Following the 2021 local government elections, Mavundla was elected as the deputy mayor of eThekwini after his party, ABC, joined the ANC-led coalition in the city.

Mavundla’s speculated defections come on the back of prominent politicians who have joined the MKP that has been founded in 2023.

Among them is former EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu, who is now the MKP’s secretary general, former EFF national chairperson advocate Dali Mpofu and the impeached former judge president of the Western Cape Division of the High Court, John Hlophe.

There is also speculation that Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, who recently resigned as EFF member of Parliament (MP) was planning on dumping the party and joining the MKP.

Attempts to get a comment from Mavundla were unsuccessful.

The Daily News did not receive comments from the MKP on the speculated possibility that Mavundla would be joining the Zuma-led party.

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