By Celani Sikhakhane
Jacob Zuma, leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), has denied claims that he promised traditional leaders seats in Parliament.
Speaking at the first anniversary of MKP in Durban on Sunday, Zuma dismissed accusations that he had misled traditional leaders during the party’s election campaign earlier this year.
“During the elections campaign, I never made any promises to traditional leaders that they would go to Parliament after the elections to represent MKP,” said Zuma.
“Someone called me recently about this matter. I put him in place and told him that I never promised traditional leaders parliamentary seats. All I said was that once we won the elections, our traditional leaders would run this country. We never won the elections, which is why they are not ruling. We are not in government—it’s Cyril Ramaphosa who is running the country.”
Zuma is also facing backlash from religious leaders who claim he misled them into believing MKP was their political party.
In his isiZulu speech, Zuma accused President Cyril Ramaphosa of selling government-owned companies to white people, saying, “He has sold all the public entities to white people.” The crowd cheered throughout his speech.
Zuma also raised the issue of land, accusing white people of stealing land and minerals from black communities. “We live in drought-stricken land because whites stole our land. They even stole our minerals,” he said.
He called on black political parties to unite and work with MKP in the 2029 elections to take power.
Zuma suggested changing the voting system, saying political parties should count their own votes instead of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). “People must be given a drum belonging to their political party to cast their votes and count on their own. The IEC must not count votes—they are corrupt.”
Zuma said MKP is taking the IEC to court over the results of the May 29 general elections, which he claims were rigged.
He ended his hour-long speech with his traditional song, uMshini Wami.
Pictured above: UMkhonto weSizwe Party leader Commander Jacob Zuma arrived in style at the MKP first anniversary with the party’s top leadership, including his deputy John Hlophe.
Source: MKP
