Jacob Zuma’s MK Party Joins South Africa’s Opposition Alliance.

By Caroline Ameh

Former South African President Jacob Zuma has announced that his political party, uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), will align with the opposition alliance in parliament, marking a significant political maneuver following recent elections.

Zuma stated that MK’s role within the alliance will be to organize resistance against the ruling coalition led by the African National Congress (ANC), which he criticized for alleged electoral irregularities in the recent polls.

The declaration, delivered through MK spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela, on Monday emphasized MK’s rejection of the election results and its call for their annulment. Zuma’s speech on Sunday characterized the ANC as no longer being part of the solution for South Africa’s governance issues.

Zuma further denounced the coalition between the ANC and the Democratic Alliance (DA), labeling it a “white-led unholy alliance,” and asserted that there was no genuine government of national unity in the country. This partnership, according to Zuma, consolidates power between the traditionally oppositional DA and the ANC under President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Despite historical animosities between the DA and ANC, the two parties recently entered into a power-sharing agreement after the ANC lost its outright majority for the first time post-apartheid. This landmark alliance was solidified with Ramaphosa’s re-election by ANC MPs for a second presidential term.

In addition to contesting the election results legally, Zuma urged his supporters to engage in peaceful resistance, stating, “We will fight to win back our country from the enemies of progress.” Concerns have arisen over potential violence among Zuma’s supporters, particularly after deadly riots erupted in July 2021 following his imprisonment for contempt of court.

Police reinforcements have been deployed to Zuma’s home province of KwaZulu-Natal amid apprehensions over escalating tensions. Despite boycotting the recent parliamentary session, MK, surprisingly emerging as South Africa’s third-largest party with 12% of the vote and 58 parliamentary seats, intends to actively participate in future legislative sessions.

MK will join forces with other small opposition parties under the banner of the Progressive Caucus, which includes the radical Economic Freedom Fighters and the centre-left United Democratic Movement. This coalition collectively holds nearly a third of the seats in parliament.

Jacob Zuma, once an ANC stalwart who resigned as president in 2018 amidst corruption allegations, maintains his innocence. His formation of the MK party signifies a significant realignment in South African politics, setting the stage for a robust opposition force in the country’s political landscape.