Following the recent resignation of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party’s Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, another member of Parliament has stepped down.
It appears that Tshepo Lucky Montana is the second MP to exit the MK Party’s parliamentary list.
Montana announced his resignation on 1 December 2025 in a post on X.
MONTANA’S INTENTION TO RESIGN
In his post, Montana said he had been planning to resign as an MP for some time.
“Early this year, I approached the leadership of MKP that I intend stepping down as a Member of the National Assembly at the end of the year.”
The MK Party later confirmed his resignation in an official statement.
Montana reportedly wrote to the party’s Parliamentary Leader, Dr John Hlophe, and Chief Whip Colleen Makhubela on 30 August 2025, formally notifying them of his decision to step down at year-end.
True to that commitment, his resignation has now taken effect.
Unlike Zuma-Sambudla, the reason behind Montana’s departure has not been publicly clarified.
MK PARTY NOTES MEMBER MONTANA’s RESIGNATION
In its statement, the MK Party acknowledged Montana’s exit, saying:
“Cde Montana has served the MK Party with steadfast objectivity, constructive guidance and principled contributions…”
Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela added that the MK Party takes comfort in knowing Montana will remain part of the party and continue contributing to the “emancipation of the black child.”
CONTROVERSY BEHIND MONTANA
Montana’s resignation comes amid an ongoing dispute with the South African Revenue Service (SARS), which publicly revealed in October that he owes more than R55 million in unpaid taxes.
According to Newsday, SARS has since pursued a court process to have him declared insolvent, following a series of failed legal challenges by Montana.
Montana previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA).
His tenure was marked by several controversies, including the R3.5 billion Swifambo/CAF locomotive procurement, which was later declared invalid by the courts.
The Public Protector’s Derailed report found systemic maladministration, irregular tender processes and conflicts of interest involving senior PRASA officials during this period.
Following the locomotive scandal and broader governance concerns, Montana was removed as PRASA’s CEO in 2015.
