UMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has appointed convicted fraudster Joe Ndhlela as its chief operating officer (COO).

Joe is also the party spokesperson Nhlamulo’s father.

In 2002, Ndhlela was sentenced to 15, 12 and nine months of imprisonment on three charges of being an accomplice to fraud during his tenure at Transnet.

According to reports, Ndhlela committed fraud between February 1993 and late 1996, and the Companies Act contravention was committed between November 1994 and August 1997.

The Companies Act contravention and the alleged corruption involved a funeral policy scheme for Transnet employees and R682 520, which Ndhlela – former SARS commissioner Tom Moyane’s brother – received in commission.

Joe Ndhlela was unveiled by the MK Party alongside Sebiloane Mokotjo, who is the party’s national chairperson, at its political school on Tuesday, 30 July.

In February 2021, Ndhlela resigned from the African National Congress (ANC) after being a member for 40 years.

In November 2023, Ndhlela – who is also a former CEO of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) – resigned from Gayton McKenzie’s Patriotic Alliance (PA).

He joined the party in March 2021 after being approached by McKenzie and his deputy, Kenny Kunene.

In his resignation letter, Ndhlela said that after the local government elections in 2021, he had witnessed a worrying development in the party: the advancement of a small clique of coloureds and individuals close to the presidency.