Mary Phadi, the former Mpumalanga convenor of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), has alleged that John Hlophe, the party’s deputy president, made unwanted sexual advances toward her during a leadership meeting in August 2024. Phadi publicly made these allegations in January 2025 during an interview and through a letter she sent to the party president, expressing her displeasure and describing how she was subsequently vilified and victimized after rejecting Hlophe’s advances.
Phadi challenged Hlophe to take a lie-detector test to prove her claims and stated she was prepared to take the matter to court. She also accused him of attempting to coerce her into a sexual relationship and said that after she refused, a campaign began to tarnish her reputation within the party, including efforts to suspend her from her position.
Hlophe has denied the allegations and threatened legal action against Phadi for defamation. The case has sparked significant debate about sexual harassment, power dynamics, and accountability within political organizations.
