By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) national executive committee (NEC) will reflect on former president Jacob Zuma’s breach of the party’s constitution at the right moment, said secretary general Fikile Mbalula.
Mbalula was answering questions at the party’s media briefing on preparations for the January 8 Statement at the Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga.
Zuma launched MK party in December 2023. uMkhonto we Sizwe was an ANC armed struggle that was disbanded on 16 December 1993, exactly 30 years before its namesake political party was formed.
He spearheaded the uMkhonto weSizwe campaign in KZN and Soweto and will be in Mpumalanga, where the ANC will hosting January 8 celebrations.
“There is no party called MK existing in our name through somebody who wants to be a saviour of the party or messiah,” said Mbalula.
He said it was not the first time disgruntled members left ANC and formed their own parties. He said that was how Cope and EFF were formed.
The party’s NEC is currently holding its first meeting for the year at Mbombela.
On the agenda, the party will discuss its campaign strategy ahead of the elections, the framework of its January 8 statement and the party’s performance during its 30 years of governance.
Mbalula expressed concern about the rolling blackout. He,however, remains optimistic that it will be resolved.
“We know the effects of load shedding in terms of the economy; we want it gone, and we know that load shedding has been used and is going to be used in the campaign against the ANC government. In this particular instance, it is against this background; it is in our interest not only for an election but for SA as a whole that we deal with this matter.”
Party leaders will, in the coming days, crisscross the province, engaging various party members and families of the late leaders of the organisation.
The party president, Cyril Ramaphosa, who will officially deliver the January 8 message, is likely to also use this opportunity to unveil its manifesto for the 2024 national and provincial elections.