By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) party deputy president John Hlophe says the decision by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) not to prosecute president Cyril Ramaphosa is “shocking, to say the least” and made a reference to the chapter 9 institution as being “captured”.
The NPA announced on Thursday that there is insufficient evidence to pursue charges related to allegations of money laundering involving US$580 000 and the concealment of a robbery that took place at Ramaphosa’s game farm in 2020.
MK Party held press conference in Johannesburg on Friday, on the outcomes of its National High Command meeting.
Hlophe mentioned that this was a clear indication that the institution was captured and vowed to raise the issue in Parliament next week.
“The suggestion by NPA that there are no reasonable prospects of such to prosecute Ramaphosa is nonsensical,” he said.
The suggestion by the NPA that there are no reasonable prospects of success, that it doesn’t make sense to prosecute the President. It does show, in my view, that these institutions are controlled, are being monitored… by those who support the President,” he said.
Hlophe did not confirm whether the party was indeed pursuing the private prosecution route, but said MK would be dealing with the issue of Phala Phala in its own way.
The African Transformation Movement (ATM) said it was disappointed in the decision not to prosecute anyone in the Phala Phala matter.
In a statement, the party’s leader described the NPA’s decision as “legally flawed”.
“This decision is not only legally flawed but fundamentally undermines the principles of justice, transparency, and accountability that are essential to upholding our democracy,” ATM leader Vuyo Zungula said.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said it will not rest until Ramaphosa is held accountable.
The party’s spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys stated that the allegations involved in the robbery at Ramaphosa’s farm were very serious and should not be ignored.
“Like Zuma, he will have no protection when he is removed from office. In fact, the same institutions that are protecting him from accounting will be at the forefront to ensure that he is imprisoned when he exits office, as we have seen with Zuma,” Mathys said.
Meanwhile MK Party has lamented what it has termed “parallel structures” within the organisation.
The party’s National Organiser, Floyd Shivambu said, there are several parallel structures and leadership positions at all levels of the organisation. Such will come to an absolute end once the leadership has been announced at all levels. We will not tolerate insubordination and will isolate elements that seek to destabilise our movement.
The party has recently welcomed new members, including high profile leaders, within its ranks.
“We call on all members of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party who joined first to avoid and stay away from the demons of gatekeeping and factionalism. There will be several members and leaders who join the uMkhonto weSizwe Party and will be assigned leadership responsibilities at all levels. We command all structures to abide by the decisions of upper structures,” added Shivambu.
Shivambu said the party’s highest decision-making body approved the constitution during a recent national high command meeting, setting the foundation for its internal governance and disciplinary framework.
The constitution outlines the party’s values, principles, standards and operating procedures, including a code of conduct for members aimed at maintaining discipline and cohesion, Shivambu said.
“The constitution of the uMkhonto weSizwe party … instructs and empowers the national officials to appoint a national prosecutor, responsible for internal prosecutions on behalf of the organisation, “he said.
The party has also introduced an 11-member internal disciplinary committee responsible for holding members accountable for violations of the code of conduct. The committee, Shivambu said, is a critical component of the MK party’s commitment to organisational discipline and internal stability.
MK Party leader Jacob Zuma lambasted the modern political system, saying it has become controlled by those with money.
He expressed concerns about the current state of democracy, questioning whether it’s truly representative of the people.
“Those who win are those who have the money,” he said, highlighting the corrupting influence of wealth in politics.
Zuma emphasised that politics has become a corrupt business, where individuals with money can buy influence and control.
“They pay people to elect so and so,” he said, pointing out that leaders are often elected by those with financial interests rather than the people. This, he argued, undermined true democracy.
Due to the corrupt influence in politics, Zuma said the MK party has decided to forego traditional conferences, opting instead for consultative conferences focused on discussing the party’s work and addressing shortcomings.
He outlined the MK party’s plan to hold consultative, rather than elective, conferences.
These meetings will focus on reviewing the party’s work, identifying shortcomings, and making decisions about future directions.
Zuma emphasised that this approach would involve all provinces coming together to discuss organisational matters and improve activities.