ANC to deploy uMkhonto we Sizwe war vets in KZN to counter MK Party
As South Africans prepare to go the polls in about two month’s time, the African National Congress’ (ANC) concern and fear of losing KwaZulu-Natal to the uMkhonto we Sizwe Party (MKP) is at the top of the governing party’s agenda.
The national and provincial elections are scheduled for May 29.
With Jacob Zuma once saying the ANC would rule South Africa “until Jesus comes back,” the former president’s second coming and his new MK Party could have a huge impact on the country’s elections.
If the MK party survives the legal challenge to keep its leader off the ballot, the party is expected to make the elections the most pivotal since the dawn of democracy and the end of apartheid.
According to City Press, the ANC will deploy uMkhonto weSizwe war veterans to the campaign trail to counter the MK Party threat in KZN.
The ANC reportedly convened a special meeting with the provincial top five last Monday to strategise and map the way forward.
The governing party is said to be worried about its support in that province, following the establishment of the MK Party and the recent resurgence of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) through numerous by-election wins, among other factors.
The meeting of the high-ranking officials, including the party’s top seven officials, took place as the ANC lost a case to prevent the MKP from participating in the forthcoming elections.
Several national executive committee (NEC) members said the fear was that losing KwaZulu-Natal would have a negative effect on the planned outright majority that the party hoped to retain nationally.
A source who spoke to the paper said: “KwaZulu-Natal is the biggest voting bloc and we can’t afford to lose it because that would spell danger for the party.”