South Africa’s upstart “Umkhonto weSizwe” or “Spear of the Nation” (MK) party has reacted defiantly to the electoral commission’s decision barring its de facto leader, former president Jacob Zuma, from contesting crucial May 29 polls.
In a fiery statement, the party accused authorities of attempting to back the ANC’s bid to deregister the MK. It vowed its “campaign to remove ANC stands and it’s intensifying” regardless of Zuma’s disqualification.
“We remain resolutely in our MKP support stance, disqualifying Zuma or not,” the statement said, using the party’s acronym. It claimed the electoral commission’s decision “has energized and fueled our hate for ANC.”
The acrimonious rhetoric signals a potentially volatile two months ahead as South Africa barrels toward elections expected to be the most hotly contested since the end of apartheid in 1994. It underscores how Zuma, whose tenure as president from 2009-2018 was plagued by corruption scandals, remains a huge figure in South African politics.
The 81-year-old was found guilty of contempt of court in 2021 for defying investigators probing graft during his time in office. He served a few months of a 15-month sentence before being granted controversial medical parole that was later revoked.
The electoral commission’s ruling precludes Zuma from attempting a dramatic political comeback by heading the MK party, which he joined after breaking from the ANC amid his legal travails. He has until April 2 to appeal the decision disqualifying his candidacy.
But the party’s leadership seems intent on riding a wave of anti-ANC militancy regardless of Zuma’s status. Polls suggest the MK party could capture around 13% of the national vote in May’s elections, which would make it a potential kingmaker if the long-dominant ANC’s support wanes below 50% and triggers the need for a coalition government.
Therefore, despite the electoral roadblock to Zuma’s personal ambitions, the bellicose rhetoric from the MK party points to the likelihood of an acrimonious slog pitting it against its former ANC allies well after the final ballots are cast. The vow of an intensifying “hate-fueled” drive against the ANC raises concerns over widespread unrest if they feel aggrieved, regardless of the final vote tallies.
