The previous leader of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, who was removed from his position due to accusations of corruption, has announced that he will not support the African National Congress (ANC) party in the upcoming 2024 national elections.
Zuma, 81, criticised the president and ANC leader, Cyril Ramaphosa. The ANC, which led the decades-old struggle against apartheid, is fast losing support. Zuma said he would vote for a small radical leftwing party and would refuse to campaign for the ANC.
“It would be a betrayal to campaign for the ANC of Ramaphosa,” he said in a statement read at a press conference.
Zuma denounced the demise of democratically chosen organizations, the influence of finances on voting outcomes, and the alleged deceitful manipulation of decisions made at the ANC conference.
He stated that it was a common belief that the ANC would suffer defeat in the national election, marking the first time since 1994.
Zuma stated that he will support the recently registered Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party, which shares its name with the former military branch of the ANC.
From 2009 to 2018, Zuma held the position of president but was ousted due to accusations of corruption. Ramaphosa, who was his deputy during that time, assumed the role. Despite the ongoing dispute, Zuma still holds considerable power within the party.
In June of 2021, Zuma was given a 15-month prison sentence for his refusal to testify in front of a panel investigating financial corruption and cronyism during his time as president. However, he was released on medical parole only two months into his term.
The incarceration led to demonstrations, disturbances and theft that resulted in the deaths of over 350 individuals, marking the country’s most severe unrest since the end of apartheid.
The African National Congress is likely to encounter strong electoral rivalry from the Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters. However, smaller political parties and unaffiliated candidates may play a significant role in potential coalition talks.
The ANC announced this week that it plans to take legal action against the use of the name Umkhonto we Sizwe, stating that it belongs to the party.
Source: theguardian.com
