Nyanda intervenes in conflict over veterans’ views

FORMER SANDF chief General Siphiwe Nyanda has intervened after the uMkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans’ Association was accused of expressing views in conflict with the position of the ANC

Nyanda said yesterday: “The situation has arisen where [the MKMVA] has been drawn into political issues confronting the ANC.

“Naturally‚ the views that they express would not necessarily be the views of the broad community of former members of MK, because not everyone is part of the MKMVA structures.”

Nyanda was speaking at a media briefing in Rivonia‚ Sandton‚ flanked by former MK senior commanders and commissars.

MK leaders are to convene a council in Johannesburg on December 17 to which all former MK members‚ MKMVA and ANC veterans, as well as the party’s top six, will be invited.

He said the ANC’s leadership was aware of the challenges faced by MK and the need for the conference to discuss them.

“It is our intention to make sure that the MKMVA is making inputs and assisting the ANC in managing these challenges.

“It should benefit from the broadness and depth of the former MK community [that] the ANC has. “This is what we are seeking,” Nyanda said. He said the MKMVA should not be used for anything else but to provide input to the ANC.