Mathabatha ‘has no links with MK party’

The Limpopo ANC has dispelled allegations that its provincial chair and premier Stan Mathabatha has followed former president Jacob Zuma to join the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party.

Mathabatha has been associated with the party through a poster which has been doing the rounds in the province. This started before the ANC’s January 8th Statement in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, on Saturday.

The poster, which bears the face of Mathabatha, claims he has since joined the MK party and that he was only waiting for the right time to make a pronouncement about his new move.

The poster says in part: “He has joined uMkhonto weSizwe. He is just waiting for the January 8th party to be over. He is not even seen on the ground in Mpumalanga. Even during a meeting of the provincial chairs with [President Cyril] Ramaphosa, he never attended.”

Following this, the Limpopo ANC dismissed the allegations in a statement, saying they were concocted by those harbouring malicious intentions to tarnish Mathabatha’s political image.

“The ANC in Limpopo has learned of a misleading poster circulating on social media, falsely asserting that provincial chair Stan Mathabatha has joined the MK party,” Limpopo ANC spokesperson Mathole Machaka said yesterday.

“We unequivocally condemn this deceptive poster which does not represent the current state of affairs.

“We rejects attempts to associate Mathabatha with the MK party. The ANC views this malicious poster as an effort to cast doubt on the integrity and commitment of the chair to the unity and renewal of the ANC.

“Comrade Mathabatha remains a steadfast member and leader of the ANC, and we urge ANC members and the public not to be misled.”

Attempts to solicit comment from Mathabatha were unsuccessful at the time of going to press.

We unequivocally condemn this deceptive poster.

Mathole Machaka Limpopo ANC official