MK distances itself from poll unrest threats made by its youth leader, Khanyile
During a media briefing earlier this month, uMkhonto weSizwe youth leader, Bonginkosi Khanyile, threatened unrest should the party be removed from the ballot.
uMkhonto WeSizwe (MK) Party members celebrate on 26 March 2024, after the Electoral Court dismissed the ANC's application to have the party deregistered. Picture: Thabiso Goba/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - uMkhonto weSizwe (MK)'s mother body has distanced the party from inflammatory remarks made by its youth leader, Bonginkosi Khanyile, threatening unrest should it be removed from the ballot.
On Tuesday, the MK Party, which is now the political home of former African National Congress (ANC) president, Jacob Zuma, won the first of its two court battles against the governing party.
The ANC was seeking to have the MK Party deregistered from the Electoral Commission, however, it failed.
During a media briefing earlier this month, uMkhonto weSizwe youth leader, Bonginkosi Khanyile, made these remarks when asked about the possibility of the party being deregistered.
"Remove MK on the ballot, remove Zuma on the ballot, there won't be elections. We are saying that because we have numbers on our side and we are fearless."
Speaking on the sidelines of the Johannesburg High Court, MK Party founder and chairperson, Jabulani Khumalo, said the party did not support disrupting democratic processes.
"As uMkhonto weSizwe we don’t agree or condone such utterances. There is no single person in South Africa who is allowed to defy the law and make such threats."
On Wednesday, the ANC and MK Party will face off at the Durban High Court, to decide who owns the uMkhonto weSizwe trademark and logo.