MK Party founder wants Zuma removed from ballot paper and candidate list

UMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party founder Jabulani Khumalo says he has written to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) requesting the immediate removal of Jacob Zuma as the face and president of the newly-formed party.

Khumalo’s request comes as the country is heading to the polls in three weeks.

‘JACOB ZUMA IS NOT THE PRESIDENT OF THE MK PARTY’

In a letter dated 5 May, Khumalo said he formed the party in 2023 and registered it in September the same year. Prior to the registration he consulted with former president Jacob Zuma.

Khumalo said it was Zuma who suggested that the party should be aligned to the ruling party (ANC) because the brand is entrenched within the public and population.

“In fact, the name uMkhonto weSizwe was proposed by Zuma. I was responsible for the registration of MKP with the Electoral Commission and Zuma also assisted with raising funds for the registration which was around R705 00,” he said.

Furthermore, Khumalo said Zuma also proposed that MK Party be launched on 16 December as this coincides with the launch of the ANC-aligned uMkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association.

“It was always understood that Zuma is not a member of MKP but would assist it in campaigning. In fact, when he announced his decision to vote and campaign for MKP on 16 December 2023 he made it clear he would remain a member of the ANC,” Khumalo explained.