Mbombela (Nelspruit) – Former African National Congress (ANC) Mpumalanga treasurer Mandla Jeffrey Msibi has joined the Service Delivery Party (SDP).
The former Mpumalanga MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has been deployed as a National Convener for the newly formed party, which says it is taking part in the November local government elections.
Msibi fell out with the ANC last year over accusations that he tried to sabotage the ANC January 8 Statement programme, which was held in Mpumalanga.
He was suspended by the ANC and taken through a disciplinary process, which found him guilty.
Msibi resigned from the ANC after he was not elected during the party’s recent provincial leadership conference.
He lost to Sibongile Makushe-Mazibuko, the incumbent mayor of Mbombela.
Yesterday, Tuesday, 19 May 2026, Msibi was welcomed into his new political home, the SDP, and was announced as the party’s national leader during an event held at a sports ground in his home township of Pienaar, Mbombela.
The SDP also announced Msibi would be its mayoral candidate for Mbombela.
Addressing SDP members, Msibi said he had voluntarily decided to leave the ANC.
He said this decision to quit the ANC was taken in a “good spirit.”
“On that day, I just woke up and peacefully decided to tender my resignation,” Msibi stated.
“I didn’t even inform anyone of my decision.
“I did it without any influence because I felt that it was an appropriate time for me to down tools. I served enough.”
In a statement issued after the event, the new party confirmed: “The Service Delivery Party has officially unveiled pioneer Mandla Msibi as its national convener and official mayoral candidate for the Mbombela Local Municipality before a full capacity crowd at the eNkomeni Sports Ground”.
