uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) president Jacob Zuma has defended his party’s decision not to hold an elective conference attributing the determination to curbing vote buying saying the gatherings have become “fake”.
The former president of the country who has caused headaches to the ANC following this year's general elections also defended former EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu’s decision to join his party.
Zuma was addressing a media briefing in Johannesburg on Thursday after the party announced its top eight leaders, with Shivambu added as the party’s national organiser.
“Part of the reason why we said we don't need conferences for now as we are establishing our country is because conferences have become fake. People use money … they buy to vote for them and do everything.
“No! We are saying it's not going to happen to MKP. We are not interested in conferences spending a lot of money before we consolidate as a party to be a party that every citizen in this country respects,” he said.
Zuma conceded that the newly formed party was still learning the ropes after letting go of some of its members recently, however, said it was because they were looking for the right formula to go on as a party.
“This is the fifth secretary-general before we even finish a year… It's because nobody does something wrong here and we tolerate it…We need to find the right people. We are going to drive out people who do things wrong because we are here to liberate our country. We mean business! This is our time!” Zuma said.
Defending Shivambu’s decision to jump ship, Zuma said he had known the young man” since his ANC Youth League days.
“That's when I picked him up and saw that he is a real politician. He has policies I define as scientific politics. He is an honest and clear politician. He makes decisions at the right time for good reasons.”
Zuma further defended his stance on not leaving the ANC while forming the MKP.
“The reason why I said I'd never leave the ANC is because I love history and I know it . The ANC was established by our ancestors, traditional leaders , posters who were black and intellectuals to defend the black person who was being suppressed by the whites.
“It was an organisation for all of us. I'm leaving the ANC because it's no longer the ANC we know. This is the Ramaphosa ANC. they have deviated. But this organisation had made the struggle in SA to be known throughout the world,” he said.
The party on Thursday announced its top eight with former police minister and ANC member Nathi Nhleko, who was previously the MP's national organiser before the May 29 elections, announced as the party’s national chairperson.
Zuma remains the president, and former Western Cape judge president John Hlophe his deputy.
Secretary-general Sifiso Maseko, who chaired most of the programme, said the top eight structure known as the National High Command structure was brought into being through wide consultations and was representative of the wishes of the people on the ground and the skills and capabilities of those elected.
He said the MKP remained committed to the progressive caucus in the national Parliament and all provincial legislatures.
“We have to demonstrate unity against the so-called Government of National Unity and mobilise our people to reject the alliance of the right-wing political formations. We will engage with different unions and civil society formations including those that are in alliance with other political parties.
“The MKP will strive for unity and unification of unions in different sectors and will strive to achieve such,” Maseko added.
The party’s top eight officials are president, Jacob Zuma; deputy president, Dr John Hlophe; secretary-general, Sifiso Maseko; deputy secretary-general, Nombuso Mkhize; national organiser, Floyd Shivambu; national chairperson, Nkosinathi Nhleko; deputy national chairperson, Wilson Sebiloane and treasurer-general, Menzi Magubane.
The Star