Cape Town – The family and foundation of the late Peter ‘Dambuza’ Malada have reportedly urged the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, supported by former President Jacob Zuma, to refrain from using Malada’s legacy for political gains.
On Wednesday, a circulated poster by the MK party unveiled Zuma’s campaign in Limpopo, outlining plans to visit the resting places of former minister Collins Chabane in Xikundu village and Peter “Dambuza” Malada in Venda.
Zuma will visit the grave of Cde Chabane on the 19 Jan after he lied to the DCJ Zondo that Collins recommended the dismissal of Themba Maseko from GCIS knowing very well that the #Guptas instructed him JZ that @MzwaneleManyi must be appointed.#BafanaBafana pic.twitter.com/JQNPA8JCQY
— DaddyD (@Mademza_) January 16, 2024
According to IOL, The MK party had announced plans to visit Malada’s grave site in Limpopo as part of its election campaign programme.
The family said that Malada was a devoted member of the African National Congress (ANC) and its military wing, Umkhonto We Sizwe.
They urged the MK party not to exploit his name to divide the ANC.
“We call upon the MK party to desist from political opportunism, in honour of Dambuza’s memory,” the reported quoted the family as saying.
ALSO READ | WATCH | ‘It’s an honest mistake’ – Zuma advocates for ANC vote instead of MK party in speech gaffe
The family distanced itself from social media claims that Zuma would visit Malada’s graveyard, calling it a mischievous attempt to distort Malada’s values.
They called on comrades to support the ANC in the upcoming 2024 elections to preserve Malada’s legacy.
In a related development, the family of the late Collins Chabane also ejected Zuma’s planned visit to Chabane’s grave, stating it is a family property and urging the ANC to protect the resting places of their fallen heroes and soldiers.
According to Times Live, the Collins Chabane Foundation condemned Zuma and the MK party for “searching through graves, disturbing the peace of resting souls, and exploiting the deceased for votes and reviving damaged political careers”.
“It was Moses Mabhida, then Dambuza and now it’s Collins Chabane. When will it end? The foundation would like to make it clear that Chabane’s family, the Mhinga royal house, and the foundation have not given the purported organisation permission to visit the family graveyard where the late Chabane has been laid to rest.”
The Collins Chabane Foundation has released another scathing statement REJECTING disgraced former president Jacob Zuma and his MK Party visit to the gravesite of Collins Chabane.
The family of Collins expects The ANC to protect and honour Collins name against the exploitation by… pic.twitter.com/O8sjDgNeCA— Goolam (@goolammv) January 17, 2024
Chabane, who passed away in a car accident in 2015, had previously served as a cabinet minister under Zuma.
The family expressed that the action was insensitive and disrespectful, as it undermined the memory of their cherished son, brother, uncle, husband, and father.
“Chabane was not a coward. He enlisted as a soldier of Umkhonto we Sizwe to fight for his land, country and people without regard for personal harm or benefit. He made his views known without saying much. He lived and died as a member of the ANC. He was quiet and disciplined, committed and dependable. He was humble and hated self-promotion.”
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: X/@AlbaMokopane
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
