Cape Town — The leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party in Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN), Visvin Reddy, said there will be bloodshed if the party is banned from contesting this year’s elections.
Reddy was speaking outside the Durban High Court on Tuesday where he sent a passionate message to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) saying if MK is not on the ballot papers for this year’s elections, a civil war will break out.
“This country will be turned into civil war the day that MK is not allowed to campaign and be on the ballot paper. No one will vote! No one in this country will vote, we will make sure of it.” Reddy said.
“We are sending a loud and clear message that if these courts stop MK there will be anarchy in this country there will be Riots like you’ve never seen in this country, if MK is not on the ballot paper,” he added.
“Hear me very carefully, this country will be turned into civil war the day the MK Party is not allowed to campaign and to be on the ballot paper. No one will vote we will make sure that no one will vote” MK Party Visvin Reddy
“We are sending a loud and clear message that if… pic.twitter.com/hEvzTNZiMC
— News Live SA (@newslivesa) March 6, 2024
In response to Reddy’s outbursts, the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) KZN premier candidate, Chris Pappas, called Reddy a political opportunist, ActionSA leader in the province, Zwakele Mncwango, labelled his outburst as “nonsense”, while ANC member of the legislature in the province, Bishop Vusi Dube, also lashed out at Reddy, saying he should be arrested and charged with treason, IOL reported.
Reddy later clarified his comments, saying he did not call for violence, but was warning of consequences which may result in the anger of the people. Reddy said the perception already exists that there were attempts to block the MK party from contesting elections.
In response to Reddy’s comments, the IEC’s Sy Mamabolo weighed in on the matter and warned the MK party that, if the electoral code of conduct is broken, the party leaders will be fined or imprisoned, News24 reported.
Mamabolo said the IEC “doesn’t appreciate the use of violent language”. and added that it wanted to alert all political parties to the provisions of the electoral code of conduct, which were now applicable since the date of the elections was proclaimed.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
