Zandile Gumede, the former eThekwini mayor and corruption-accused official, has officially switched allegiance from the African National Congress (ANC) to the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party.

The move comes after years of association with Jacob Zuma's faction within the ANC, following her removal as mayor in 2019 due to her involvement in the R320 million Durban Solid Waste tender scandal.

Gumede, who remains on trial for charges including fraud and corruption, was appointed KwaZulu-Natal deputy convener by the MK Party's secretary-general, Sibonelo Nomvalo.The party highlighted her experience as a key asset for the 2026 local government elections, emphasizing her credentials in KZN politics.

Despite her legal battles, Gumede retained her ANC regional chair position in 2022, though her influence waned after the ANC disbanded the eThekwini Regional Executive Committee in 2025.

Her shift to the MK Party, which gained significant traction in the 2024 elections, underscores growing disillusionment with the ANC and the MK's role as an alternative voice for marginalized groups.The appointment signals a strategic move for the MK Party to bolster its presence in key municipalities ahead of upcoming elections.