Zuma allegedly claimed the unity deal would ultimately sideline the DA.
The ANC has denied approaching former President Jacob Zuma or his MK party to join the Government of National Unity (GNU).
This comes after a voice note circulated on social media revealed how Zuma allegedly rejected overtures to join the GNU and the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
Zuma recording
“They are planning to come and convince me. They said the political party does not belong to an individual, it belongs to all of us. Our members were told to convince me to accept the proposal made by the ANC to have three parties take over the country,” Zuma purportedly said in the recording.
Zuma further said the unity deal would ultimately sideline the DA, suggesting that once the GNU was formalised, “the DA would be kicked out of the government, end of story.”
LISTEN: The alleged recording of Zuma
MK Party President Jacob Zuma rejected the ANC’s proposal to join the Government of National Unity (GNU).
Leaked audio reveals that the ANC had offered the MK Party a position in both the GNU and the Government of Provincial Unity in KwaZulu-Natal, but Zuma declined the offer.… pic.twitter.com/AR6pWiUOkl
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) April 22, 2025
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Thabo Mbeki
The MK party leader also spoke about his fraught relationship with former President Thabo Mbeki.
“One day, Thabo Mbeki was my friend. We’ve parted ways this time around. I am making a clear example because I’m talking about what is real; we disagree with him on what we agreed on many years ago because our objections were not necessarily the same.”
‘Not verified’
ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the party had taken note of the recording, and denied that it had approached Zuma’s party.
“At this stage, the ANC has not independently verified the authenticity of the audio, nor has Mr. Zuma publicly confirmed its contents.
“However, due to the seriousness of the allegations and the risk of public misperception, the ANC categorically states that it has not approached Mr Zuma or the MK Party to join the Government of National Unity. No such discussions have taken place.
“These claims, if indeed attributable to Jacob Zuma, are unfounded and misleading,” Bhengu-Motsiri said.
GNU
Bhengu-Motsiri said the ANC has conducted all GNU engagements transparently, in good faith, and in line with the “spirit and letter of the Constitution” of the country.
“At no point has the ANC engaged in or contemplated any clandestine strategy to marginalise any party that is a constituent of the GNU. Such allegations—unverified and untested—risk misleading the public, sowing confusion, and eroding trust.
“They are particularly regrettable when made, or believed to be made, by individuals who have held high office and carry a responsibility to uphold the truth in public discourse,” Bhengu-Motsiri said.
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‘Political maturity’
Bhengu-Motsiris has called for “political maturity, responsible leadership, and a commitment to the values of honesty and accountability.”
“We will not be drawn into battles with individuals who have placed themselves in the service of ego rather than the people. Our focus remains resolutely on delivering for our people—on jobs, on fighting poverty, and on building a more just, equal, and non-racial South Africa.
“We reaffirm that the GNU is not a transactional convenience alliance, but a constitutional mechanism to secure inclusive governance, defend democratic gains, and accelerate transformation in the interest of the people of South Africa,” Bhengu-Motsiri said.
Expelling Zuma
The ANC officially cut ties with the MK party leader in July last year. The party’s national disciplinary committee (NDC) resolved to expel him following a disciplinary hearing held on 23 July in his absence.
In December last year, the ANC accused the former president of contravening Rule 25 of the party’s constitution by forming the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party.
While Zuma may now be a card-carrying member and leader of the MK party, he reneged on his comments in May when he said he would “die in the ANC”.
The GNU was formed after the ANC lost its outright majority in the 2024 elections. The coalition includes the DA, FF+ and other political parties to ensure stable governance.
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