Cape Town – Former president Jacob Zuma has reportedly faced criticism from uMkhonto weSizwe Liberation War Veterans (MKLWV), a group of veterans from the liberation struggle, for his support of a newly formed political party named uMkhonto weSizwe (MK).
Despite being a member of the African National Congress (ANC), Zuma announced that he would vote for the MK party in the upcoming general elections, expressing dissatisfaction with the ANC’s values.
According to EWN, MKLWV denounced Zuma’s association with the new party, saying that it does not represent the disciplined and dedicated cadres of the authentic uMkhonto weSizwe, the former armed wing of the ANC.
They criticised Zuma for making the announcement on the 62nd anniversary of the military arm.
“MKLWV would like to make it very clear that the so-called uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party is not [the] MK of OR Tambo. It is not the MK of Chris Hani. It does not by any stretch of the imagination represent the disciplined and dedicated cadres of the authentic Umkhonto we Sizwe,” the report quoted uMkhonto weSizwe Liberation War Veterans’ national convenor, Dan Hato.
Last week, Fikile Mbalula, the secretary-general of the ANC announced the party’s intention to pursue legal action against the newly formed party.
ANC MARKS 62ND ANNIVERSARY OF uMKHONTO WE SIZWE. pic.twitter.com/mDXxI12lbL
— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) December 16, 2023
Concerns arose about the potential departure of ANC stalwarts to join Zuma in supporting his new party.
The new party has already completed registration with the Electoral Commission (IEC).
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
