Ex-South African President Encounters Opposition Within Own Party

The founder of the South African opposition party uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) has called for the removal of former President Jacob Zuma from the list of candidates for the upcoming general election. Jabulani Khumalo, who was recently expelled from the party, has accused Zuma of fraudulently holding the position of MK leader.

In a letter addressed to the Electoral Commission (IEC), Khumalo requested that Zuma be removed as the “face of MKP and as the president of the MKP.” The IEC, however, stated that it does not involve itself in the internal affairs of political parties and that it only acts on the instruction of the registered leader of the party, which in this case is Jacob Zuma.

Zuma, who joined the opposition coalition MK last year after leaving the ruling African National Congress, was initially barred from running for a seat in the National Assembly due to a previous conviction. However, the South African Electoral Court overturned this ruling, allowing him to participate in the elections.

Zuma had been sentenced to 15 months in prison in 2021 for refusing to attend a court-ordered tribunal investigating corruption during his presidency. He was released after serving only two months under President Cyril Ramaphosa’s pardon scheme.

A statement released on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday by MK, which has consistently accused the government of trying to undermine the party, declared that it will not be deterred by the ANC’s attempts to prevent Zuma from running for office. The party went on to accuse President Ramaphosa of using Khumalo to create division and chaos among its leadership.

The statement further expressed disappointment in Mr. Khumalo and the ANC under Ramaphosa’s leadership, alleging that they have been influenced by financial incentives to undermine President Zuma and the MK party. The party emphasized its belief that it is the only beacon of hope and future for the impoverished, unemployed, and marginalized individuals in society.