Shivambu: “MK Party Not Ashamed Of Leaders, Including Zuma”

uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party secretary-general Floyd Shivambu has stated that the party is “not ashamed” of any of its leaders, including former president Jacob Zuma.

Shivambu made this declaration during an interview with Newzroom Afrika, following an MK party media briefing where plans were revealed to challenge the coalition government currently leading KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), with claims of support from the African National Congress (ANC).

Despite being the largest political force in the province, the MK party remains in opposition. The party has also attracted several high-profile politicians, particularly from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

The MK Party will celebrate its first anniversary at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban in December. The party, which is eyeing the eThekwini Municipality in the upcoming local government elections, has recently welcomed ANC and EFF members to its ranks.

Secretary-general… pic.twitter.com/smuhPPghc4

— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) November 20, 2024

Leadership Exodus from EFF

The EFF, led by Julius Malema, has experienced a significant leadership exodus, with notable figures such as Shivambu, Mzwanele Manyi, Busisiwe Mkhwebane, and Dali Mpofu joining Zuma’s MK party. Speculations suggest that more departures may follow.

Shivambu defended Zuma, who has been linked to state capture. He dismissed allegations that Zuma misappropriated state funds for personal gain, stating, “There were so many people who were even saying that President Zuma stole billions of rands, he’s building mansions in Dubai, he’s doing all of those things.

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Not even one person today can come with proof that Zuma took a single cent from the state for his own personal benefit out of the so-called nonsense of state capture.”

[WATCH] “This is a very important celebration because the uMkhonto we Sizwe Party is effectively the most successful one-year-old political party since forever.

There has never been a political party in South Africa that got to enjoy the kind of success and progress it got to… pic.twitter.com/920tHAwcy8

— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) November 20, 2024

Zuma is currently involved in several legal battles, including efforts to remove his arms deal prosecutor, Billy Downer. Zuma, along with French arms company Thales, faces multiple charges of fraud, corruption, money laundering, and racketeering related to the 1999 multi-billion rand defence procurement project. The case has been repeatedly delayed by Zuma’s legal strategies.

Shivambu Embracing Leaders

Shivambu emphasised that the MK party embraces all its leaders, including Judge Hlophe, who he claims was unlawfully removed for political reasons. “We embrace all of our leaders. We embrace Judge Hlophe who was unlawfully removed by the Democratic Alliance and the ANC for political reasons.

“The reason they displaced him was because they were fearful that he would rule against them, that he stands firmly against the racist culture which is beginning to encroach the judiciary in the Western Cape High Court and other spheres of society,” Shivambu stated.

Shivambu highlighted the rapid success and progress of the MK party, noting that it has achieved significant milestones within its first year of existence. Last month, he remarked that the MK party’s parliamentary caucus possesses superior skill sets compared to other political parties in the country.

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