A small number of UMkhonto weSizwe (MK Party) supporters in Gauteng went out to support former president Jacob Zuma at the ANC’s Luthuli House.
This is despite MK Party deciding to postpone the gathering as Zuma’s hearing was being held online.
Over 100 supporters from five districts stood outside Luthuli house, chanting struggle songs. Some were sitting on their camp chairs. They used their own funds to transport themselves to the ANC headquarters in support of Zuma at the disciplinary hearing.
Virtual hearing
Mamosa Ramaisa, Gauteng MK Party Youth League spokesperson, explained on Wednesday that she was one of the people who rebelled against the party’s decision to postpone the Luthuli House gathering.
She said they mobilised supporters around Tshwane and got the word out to all districts in Gauteng that the support rally continues.
Ramaisa said she did not understand why they needed to back down from their initial plans. She believed that Zuma should be supported even in his absence.
“So, the whole planning started after uBaba (Zuma) demanded a physical meeting. Meaning that his disciplinary hearing would be at Luthuli House. We were informed that this would possibly happen. And that is when the party asked for support from its members.
“Suddenly, the ANC backs down and forces a virtual meeting. And that is when the provincial leadership of the mother body alerted everyone that the matter has been postponed,” said Ramaisa.
Gathering postponed due to Zuma’s absence
David Masemola, one of the supporters, said he was disappointed to hear that the party’s meetup was postponed. This after the ANC forced a virtual meeting.
But this did not stop him from wearing his party regalia to head to Luthuli House to rally behind the MK Party leader.
“I was not going to work, so I figured I might as well go to Luthuli House. Because I don’t stay far and to my surprise, I already found more members already there. I realised that we would stop at nothing to show our support,” said Masemola.
He said the plan was to sit outside the building with his camp chair chanting struggle songs until 2pm. But he was excited to find many people already showing support.
Masemola, who was wearing the MK Party T-shirt, said he was not an official member of the party yet. But he would officiate his membership soon after witnessing the unity from party members.
Thabang Nkani, Gauteng coordinator, said the gathering was suspended because Zuma would no longer be at Johannesburg. He would be represented by Tony Yengeni in a virtual meeting.
Kangaroo court
“Because of this, all MK Party structures and members are requested to suspend the planned appearance with ubaba at Luthuli House since he won’t be there.
“We thank all our members, comrades, community members inside and outside Gauteng. All who were ready to support Cde Jacob Zuma in his appearance in the kangaroo court of kwaGogo. This shows that our unity of purpose is one of our defining characters as the MK Party,” said Nkani.
