The MK Party has removed its parliamentary chief whip, Mmabatho Mokoena-Zondi, and suspended her party membership with immediate effect after she was charged with fraud involving more than R230,000.

According to the allegations, during her time as chief whip in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), she allegedly instructed parliamentary officials to hand over as much as 60% of their salaries, claiming the funds would be used to cover legal expenses for party leader Jacob Zuma.Mokoena-Zondi appeared in court and was granted bail of R30,000.

Following a meeting between Zuma and the party’s national leadership, the MK Party announced that her membership would remain suspended while an internal investigation into the corruption allegations takes place.The party also instructed her to surrender all party documents, records, assets and other materials in her possession without delay.MK Party spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu confirmed the decision, while Philasande Mkhize was appointed as the new parliamentary chief whip.

Mokoena-Zondi had recently been appointed to serve on the impeachment committee and had only held the chief whip position for about four months after replacing Colleen Makhubele.Her removal is the latest in a series of leadership changes within the MK Party.

In recent months, the party has also removed spokesperson and MP Nhlamulo Ndhlela over communication disputes and dismissed Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla as an MP amid allegations relating to a separate controversy involving party members and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.The latest development highlights continuing internal instability and disciplinary action within the party.