Chris Hani’s daughter dumps ANC for Zuma-backed party

Cleopatra Hani, the eldest daughter of anti-apartheid firebrand Chris Hani, has dumped the ANC and joined the Jacob Zuma-backed uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) political party.

Hani, 57, is the latest prominent figure to join the new kid on the block after Zuma declared his support for the party.

She has been doing groundwork campaigning for the party in the Eastern Cape, from where she hails.

It has been alleged from various sources that former tourism minister Lindiwe Sisulu worked behind the scenes for months alongside Zuma, a longtime ally, in the formation of the party, with their work including trips to Russia.

Speaking to The Citizen, Hani said she left the ANC because she had become unhappy about “everything the party had become. uMkhonto weSizwe has the right ideologies and I believe this is the party South Africa needs.”

During the interview. Hani added the establishment of MK was “long overdue”.

Asked if she thought her father would approve of her decision, she said: “I am living my own life.”

The party, which held a rally addressed by Zuma in Mpumalanga last weekend, will be holding another event at Chris Hani’s birthplace, Sabalele in Cofimvaba in the Eastern Cape on 27 January.

Infographics flying around social media show Cleo Hani as one of the main speakers at the event to be held at Sabalele sport grounds.

Leaked audio messages suggest that more than 200 former ANC members, including former councillors in the Buffalo City metro (BCM), are working underground on expanding the party.

Former BCM speaker Luleka Simon-Ndzele is one of the councillors whose name is being linked to the new party.

Reports also suggest the party has amassed strong support in some of the province’s largest regions, including Joe Gqabi, Sarah Baartman, OR Tambo and Nelson Mandela Bay.

Senior researcher, political analyst and lecturer at Nelson

Mandela University Dr Ongama Mtimka is not convinced the party will do well in the Eastern Cape, or in other provinces, with the exception of KwaZulu-Natal, in the upcoming elections.

“There will be some section of the electoral market that will respond positively to its message but not significantly beyond KZN. Mr Zuma has significant following, mostly in KZN,” he said.

The establishment of the MK party continued the trend of the formation of splinter parties from the ANC which would go on to challenge the ruling party’s majority.

“It attests to the fractured nature of the party throughout the democratic period,” Mtimka added.

Eastern Cape ANC secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi said the party in the province backed

Some will respond positively to MK’s message

Luthuli House in its plans to take the MK party to court for theft of the uMkhonto weSizwe (also MK) emblem, logo and its brand name.

“The decision was taken nationally because MK is an institution established by the ANC as a military wing during the apartheid years and supported it for military capabilities. Therefore it is our brand,” said Ngcukayitobi.

He added he was not having sleepless nights over the establishment of the party of “crooks, thieves and liars”.

“The Eastern Cape folk are not stupid. They see through this party. I am without a doubt that the voters will reject this party at the polls,” said Ngcukayitobi.

The MK party acknowledged The Citizen’s questions and promised to respond. Their response will be published once received.