By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) has lost its bid to prevent the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) from using the name and logo it claimed to be of its disbanded liberation-era military wing.
The ANC hauled uMkhonto we Sizwe political party to court in March seeking interdictory relief over the use of the name and the logo.
The ANC had argued that the MKP name and logo bear a resemblance to the party’s former military wing, uMkhonto we Sizwe, which was active during the armed struggle against apartheid, and sought to bar the new party from brandishing it.
In December, former President Jacob Zuma announced his support for uMkhonto weSizwe and has since become the face of the party.
Acting judge in the Durban High Court Judge Nicolette Beket dismissed the ANC’s application.
MK Party co-founder Jabulani Khumalo told media outside court that it was a good day for those who supported the party and Zuma.
Khumalo said that he was not bothered by opposition to the case.
“Right now our biggest focus is on campaigning and promoting Zuma”.
The decision by Zuma to pledge his support to MK added another element to the bitter rivalry. The parties have traded insults over the last few months. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula called Zuma “the most destructive person” for South Africa’s democratic progression and referred to officials in the new party as his “chihuahuas.”
Zuma was forced to step down in 2018 amid corruption allegations and is currently on trial for graft, although that case has faced long delays. He has been highly critical of the ANC under his successor, current South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Zuma was suspended from the ANC after publicly backing MK.
The judgment is the third court victory by the Zuma-backed MK Party against the ANC as the country prepares for national elections next month.
The ANC has governed South Africa for 30 years since the end of the apartheid system of racial segregation in 1994, but is expected to face its sternest test in this year’s vote. Several polls predict that the ANC will lose its majority for the first time and be forced into a coalition to remain in government.