Cape Town – The African National Congress (ANC) has lost a legal battle against the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe party (MK Party) over the use of its name and logo.
The High Court in Durban ruled against the ANC’s request to stop the MK Party from using its name and logo.
MK Party leader Jabulani Khumalo expressed satisfaction with the judgment and emphasised their determination to continue with their election campaign.
He told the media outside the court that it was a positive day for supporters of the party and former president Jacob Zuma.
“People who support the MK Party and Zuma, today we have conquered.”
The ANC argued that the name and logo belonged to them and accused the MK Party of attempting to confuse voters.
The #MK Party says it has won today’s trademark judgment in the Durban High Court. It was up against the ANC over the use of the logo which bears a shield and a spear. The judgment was delivered a short while ago. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/Uvt1lUzyGm
— Vusi Khumalo (@djvuslo) April 22, 2024
However, the MK Party contended that the ANC did not own the logo and name, citing the historical context of its formation as a military wing of both the ANC and the South African Communist Party.
This ruling follows another recent judgment in the Electoral Court where the MK Party won against the ANC regarding its registration as a political party.
Additionally, Zuma, associated with the MK Party, has been permitted to contest the elections despite objections regarding his eligibility due to a prison sentence.
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Picture: X/@djvuslo
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
