The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has warned that coalition negotiations by its structures, public representatives, or members outside its national framework “shall constitute a breach of the party’s directives” and must be referred to face disciplinary measures.

“No coalition agreement may be concluded or signed on behalf of the party without the explicit approval of the presidency,” the party said in a statement over the weekend from the office of party president Jacob Zuma.

The statement set up a seven-member national negotiations team to lead all the MKP’s coalition negotiations after the 2026 local government elections. The team is made up of Duduzane Zuma, Tony Yengeni, Mxolisi Phakathi, Lindi Mtshali, Willies Mchunu, Dali Mpofu and Thanti Mthanti.

Provincial and regional structures “may provide political guidance and participate in engagements when authorised by the national team”, but “may not make independent commitments or enter into agreements with other political parties”, the statement said.

The team must ensure that coalition arrangements are backed by written agreements with “measurable commitments and clear accountability mechanisms”, the statement said. “All agreements must be concluded by the end of the first 100 days after the establishment of the council.”

The party congratulated “all the other progressive formations which stand for total freedom and the return of stolen land in South Africa” and against what it called the “racist, right-wing” alliance of the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the African National Congress (ANC).

The MKP said it was “the very first time in the history of South Africa that a political party entering the local government elections for the first time has achieved a 10% share”. Declaring the results on Sunday, Electoral Commission of South Africa chairperson Mosotho Moepya said the MKP received 9.61% of the vote and 701 council seats.