By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former deputy president David Mabuza has shot down speculation that he has joined his former political ally, Jacob Zuma, in the uMkhonto weSizwe party.
Mabuza said he would continue to campaign for the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
He said the ANC was the only viable vehicle to bring change to the lives of millions of South Africans.
The former deputy president said those who were spreading fake news on social media would not succeed as he was a loyal member of the ruling party.
In a statement on Thursday, he said the false reports are an attempt to undermine the gains achieved by the ANC.
Mabuza reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to the governing party, saying the confidence of the people in the ANC’s ability to bring positive change will be evident during the elections.
“These falsehoods are nothing but ambush marketing tactics employed by those seeking to undermine the significant progress made by the ANC in improving the lives of our people,” Mabuza said.
“I remain firmly aligned with and supportive of the renewal agenda spearheaded by the leadership of the ANC, which represents the only viable path for change in South Africa.
“The ANC’s legacy of freedom and democracy, earned through the struggle against apartheid, will continue to guide us as we strive to build a better South Africa for all.”
The former deputy president is not the only public figure that has come out to refute social media claims of being associated with the party.
Although the MK draws most of its support from the ANC voter base, its presence is being felt by other political parties such as the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), a traditionalist Zulu nationalist party and key opposition to the ANC in KZN, and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), which was formed by a Julius Malema, a popular former ANC youth leader.
Last month, a survey of voters conducted by the Brenthurst Foundation, a Johannesburg-based think tank, indicated that nationally the ANC’s support has fallen to 39 percent, with the closest opposition, the Democratic Alliance (DA), gaining ground with 27 percent.
The same survey found that in KZN, Zuma’s MK party is set to be the largest, with 25 percent of the vote. The ANC (20 percent), DA (19 percent) and IFP (19 percent) are running neck and neck and a coalition provincial government is likely to govern the province.