Cape Town — Some members of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party have reportedly said that they see no issue with the party’s leader, Jacob Zuma, staying a member of the African National Congress (ANC).
Zuma appeared virtually before the ANC’s disciplinary committee on Tuesday as he faced charges of bringing the party into disrepute.
Despite him not being present for the hearing, many of the MK’s supporters gathered outside the ANC’s Luthuli House to support him.
Despite Jacob Zuma’s disciplinary hearing with the ANC being held virtually today, over a hundred Mk Party supporters visited Luthuli House to show support for Ubaba wethu. pic.twitter.com/fQDchZJ7jK
— Raisibe (@Patricia_Bantom) July 23, 2024
According to EWN, Zuma had previously said he would not leave the ANC and intended to stay as an ANC member until he died. While this decision did not sit well with ANC members, some members of the MK Party said they had no issue with his decision to be part of both parties.
Bishop Sandile Ndlela, who was among the people who came to support him, said he also held a dual membership between the MK Party and the ANC.
“It’s the behaviour of the ANC that made us realise we don’t belong in it and that’s why Zuma created a new home for us in the uMkhonto weSizwe Party,” Ndlela said.
MK’s Johannesburg convenor, Theo Dlamini, questioned why Zuma’s hearing was happening virtually and touched on Zuma’s dual allegiance.
“That is the process, that is why they have called for the disciplinary hearing. There is a process and the ANC has called for this process. Zuma is a member of the MK and the ANC so let him go and answer for himself. For now, he is our president, so we are here in solidarity with him,” Dlamini said.
Dlamini said Zuma should have been allowed to the physical meeting to answer why he is a member of both parties.
Bishop Sandile Ndlela, a long-time ANC member and now MK supporter, said there is nothing wrong with Jacob Zuma having a dual membership.
Ndlela said, like Zuma, he has no intention of resigning his membership from the ANC. TCG pic.twitter.com/HGBaiWPsmr
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) July 23, 2024
Theo Dlamini, uMkhonto WeSizwe Johannesburg Convenor, said Jacob Zuma’s disciplinary hearing with the ANC should be physical and public.
Dlamini refused to comment on Zuma’s dual membership with the ANC & MK Party. TCG pic.twitter.com/UpVBf5gnfZ
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) July 23, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
