The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has firmly reinstated former president Jacob Zuma’s leadership role in the party, despite ongoing legal and political challenges.
The announcement comes amid a contentious leadership battle with Jabulani Khumalo, the party’s founder and former leader.
Khumalo, who was expelled from the party for allegedly failing to adhere to its directives, has contested his expulsion.
He insists that he remains the legitimate leader and has taken legal action, seeking to have the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) remove Zuma from the party’s candidate list.
Constitutional Court judgment
Zuma, already entangled in legal disputes over his eligibility to represent the MK Party in parliament, recently faced a setback when the Constitutional Court upheld the IEC’s decision to declare him ineligible for the National Assembly due to his previous conviction.
Section 47 of the constitution disqualifies individuals with convictions of over 12 months from serving in parliament.
As such, the court’s ruling mandates that Zuma cannot return to parliament until after a five-year period.
Despite these legal hurdles, the MK Party’s national leadership core (NLC) has unequivocally reaffirmed Zuma’s position.
“The MK Party NLC, under the guidance of our incoming peoples president, president Jacob Zuma [sic], convened to discuss and address the recent political developments regarding the constitutional [court] judgment on president Zuma’s eligibility to serve as a member of parliament,” said MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela.
Ndhlela criticised “external forces”, particularly those aligned with the ANC under President Cyril Ramaphosa, for allegedly attempting to undermine Zuma’s authority.
Effort to demoralise MK members
He accused the ANC, the IEC, and the Constitutional Court of orchestrating a campaign to destabilise the MK Party.
“We vehemently denounce these false claims as part of a deliberate yet dismal effort to demoralise our members and supporters nationwide,” Ndhlela stated.
Ndhlela likened the Constitutional Court judgment to severe human rights violations, claiming it restricts the democratic potential of citizens.
“We perceive this judgment as equivalent to, if not tantamount to, the Holocaust on human rights and the freedom of our people,” he asserted.
Despite these challenges, the NLC remains steadfast in its support for Zuma.
“The NLC reiterates that president Zuma will remain the president of the MK Party and the country post-May 29 through the attainment of a 2/3 majority victory.”
He emphasised the party’s commitment to overcoming what he described as “treacherous schemes” by opponents embedded within the ANC.
