Mkhondo (formerly Piet Relief) – Former President Jacob Zuma, who has publicly stated that he is disgruntled with the governing African National Congres (ANC), on Saturday addressed members of the newly formed Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) party.
The 81-year-old wiley politician, who has been a member of the ANC for 60 years, said he opted to support the MK party to better the lives of black people.
Zuma reiterated that he was not campaigning or voting for the ANC because he was opposed to the leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
While the ANC national leadership was gearing up for the January 8 statement in Mbombela (formerly Nelspruit), Mpumalanga, Zuma moved into the province Saturday, where he addressed an MK party gathering under a giant marquee.
Zuma accused the current ANC leadership of promoting corruption and undermining the democracy that he and his comrades fought for.
ironically, Zuma – whose presidency was dogged by scandal – resigned as president of South Africa on 14 February 2018 under pressure from his ANC party to do so.
Zuma still has a corruption case hanging over his head linked to the 1990s arms deal.
In the ongoing high court matter, Zuma faces charges of racketeering, fraud, and money laundering.
However, the court case remains bogged down by a litany of peripheral litigation.
On Saturday, Zuma put all that behind him and instead spoke about how the current government neglected black people, who he said remain surrounded by poverty.
He said black people face many other crises despite their contribution to the fight against apartheid.
Zuma accused the current government administration of not caring about making the lives of black people better, something he said was supposed to be an ANC-led government priority.
The 81-year-old, who has been a member of the ANC for 60 years, said he opted to support the MK party to better the lives of black people.
Zuma, who spent time in prison for contempt of court before he was released on medical parole, said he didn’t want to associate himself with the “unethical activities” in the ANC and ruining the country’s hard-earned democracy.
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He said the ANC leadership failed to listen to advice that could assist the governing party in regaining trust among the people on the ground.
“The time has come for us South Africans to stand up and claim the country’s democracy that we had fought hard for,” Zuma declared.
“Luckily, some of us are still here and we call on all people to come and join hands with us as we make our dream a reality.
“Let me set a record straight.
“I had no choice but to take a break from the ANC this time and campaign for the newly formed party as our people are neglected, especially the black ones.
“An escalating corruption within the current ANC is also a matter of concern and which prompted me to rally behind the new party.”
On the MK party’s membership drive, Zuma said he was glad that the party was attracting prominent people.
