BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa
The South Africa ruling party,
African National Congress (ANC) and the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) Party led by
former South African president Jacob Zuma and a former ANC stalwart, are
involved in a legal dispute that could make or break the former president's
comeback in politics.
Former South African president Jacob Zuma formed the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) Party
The court tussle regards the
MK's registration with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
The ANC and MK squared off in
the Electoral Court in Bloemfontein on Tuesday
afternoon as SA's governing party wants the decision to register MK with the
IEC overturned.
ANC argued that Zuma's MK
party stole their trademark, claiming copyright infringement by the party's
founders. It is for this reason that the ANC wants the MK to stop using the
name Umkhonto we Sizwe, which was the military wing of the ANC disbanded in 1993.
The ANC presented their
arguments to the Electoral Court regarding the MK Party's registration. The
governing party is against Zuma's party using the name as it is also used by
the MK Veterans' Association registered by the ANC for its veterans.
In addition, the ANC wants the
MK party deregistered by the Electoral Commission of South Africa for using a
name associated with the governing party.
The outcome of this court case
will determine whether the MK Party can participate in the upcoming May
29 elections.
Former ANC president Zuma has
publicly supported the newly formed MK Party. His endorsement has garnered
media attention for the party, particularly ahead of the polls.
Several recent surveys suggest
growing support for the MK Party, especially in the KwaZulu-Natal Province.
These studies indicate a potential shift in voter allegiance from the ANC.
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