'Zuma will die member of ANC. He's merely the face of MK Party' – founder Jabulani Khumalo
MK Party founder Jabulani Khumalo argues he remains the party leader, and that former president Jacob Zuma is merely the public face.
Former President Jacob Zuma addresses members of the media under the banner of new party uMkhontho We Sizwe on 16 December 2023. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/Eyewitness News
Clement Manyathela interviews Jabulani Khumalo, Founder of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP).
Listen below.
Khumalo, recently ousted as president of the MK Party and subsequently expelled from the organisation, asserts that he remains the party's founder and leader.
He argues that former president Jacob Zuma is merely the public face, not the actual leader of the party, and his involvement primarily stemmed from his insights during the party's registration process.
This statement follows Khumalo's demand for the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) to remove Zuma as the 'face of MKP and as the president of the MKP'.
He adds that while Zuma 'will die a member of the ANC', due to their perceived failures, Zuma has pledged his vote to the MK party in the elections on 29 May.
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"Mr Jacob Zuma, the ex-president of our country, is our face; we agree that he is going to be the face of our organisation."
- Jabulani Khumalo, Founder – uMkhonto weSizwe Party
"Mr Zuma has always made his utterance that he is a member of the ANC, he will die a member of the ANC."
- Jabulani Khumalo, Founder – uMkhonto weSizwe Party
Khumalo explains that, when he initiated the party registration, his sole goal was to ensure that the MK party contributed to restoring South Africans' pride.
As a result, numerous members from other parties joined, many of whom Khumalo considers friends.
He contends that Thuthukile Zuma, the youngest among Zuma's four daughters, fabricated falsehoods, accusing Khumalo of colluding with other parties to sabotage the party.
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During the recent manifesto launch in Soweto, Khumalo's absence prompted a further inquiry into his leadership.
Khumalo attributes his absence to conflicting commitments.
"I would have been there if the dates didn't clash."
- Jabulani Khumalo, Founder – uMkhonto weSizwe Party
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.