Zuma’s MK Party tells ANC: ‘We’re no scarecrow!’ — Rejects GNU invite

Jacob Zuma

Johannesburg – The MK Party has firmly rejected renewed efforts by the ANC to include it in discussions around resetting South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU), accusing the ruling party of attempting to use it as a “scare tactic” against coalition partner, the Democratic Alliance (DA).

Tensions have escalated within the GNU as the ANC and DA lock horns over the national budget — specifically a contentious value-added tax (VAT) hike of 0.5 percentage points set to take effect on 1 May. The DA has opposed the budget, even launching a court challenge, exposing growing rifts in the multi-party arrangement.

Speaking in Soweto during celebrations of MK Party leader Jacob Zuma’s 83rd birthday, MK secretary-general Floyd Shivambu confirmed that his party had been approached by the ANC but chose to snub the invitation.

He said the MK Party refused to interfere in the “domestic affairs” of a GNU it does not recognise.

“We know that as uMkhomto weSizwe, we represent majority of the people of South Africa. We are not desperate to enter into power through the ANC coalition or arrangements,” Shivambu said outside the Protea Community Hall.

“We can take the power single handedly as an organisation. We’ve got the necessary capacity to take power by ourselves. That is why less than six months into existence, uMkhonto weSizwe could get an upward of 14% of the vote in South Africa and have an outright majority in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in terms of the votes that were announced by the IEC.

“So the ANC has written to us. We have responded to say that we do not want to enter into domestic affairs of the so called government of national unity. Let them deal with their issues.”

This comes after the National Assembly narrowly passed the fiscal framework earlier this month, with 194 MPs voting in favour and 182 against. Despite this, the budget remains a sticking point for GNU stability, with public resistance to the VAT increase growing.

The ANC, scrambling to hold its coalition together, has been meeting with various political parties, including the EFF, FF Plus, Rise Mzansi, and the IFP, in hopes of navigating the impasse.

“MK Party cannot be used by ANC to scare DA! Fact is ANC doesn’t want DA to leave GNU so they want to use MK Party and other Party to scare DA,” said Shivambu. 

The ANC has confirmed ongoing talks with parties such as Rise Mzansi and the IFP, describing them as “constructive” and aimed at “reinforcing confidence in the national budget process” and exploring “fair and sustainable revenue alternatives”.

Meanwhile, the DA remains at odds with National Treasury’s revenue proposals, further complicating GNU dynamics.

A final decision on the coalition’s future hinges on meetings between the ANC, DA, and FF Plus this weekend.

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