The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in KwaZulu-Natal has expressed its lack of concern over the decision of its provincial chairperson, Jacob Zuma, to support the uMkhonto WeSizwe party instead of the African National Congress (ANC) in the upcoming 2024 elections. While SANCO continues to back and campaign for the ANC, they have clarified that this support doesn’t equate to a blank cheque and have outlined specific demands, asserting that the organization’s interests must be taken into consideration.
During a media briefing convened by SANCO on Wednesday, Mazwe Cele, the provincial secretary for SANCO KZN, emphasized the organization’s ongoing support for the ANC. Cele revealed that despite pressure from the ANC leadership in the province to address Zuma’s endorsement of the uMkhonto WeSizwe party, there were no internal or constitutional grounds to remove Zuma as the provincial chair.
Cele stated that Zuma would remain in his role as SANCO’s provincial chair, leaving any further pursuit of the matter to the ANC itself. He clarified that Zuma’s endorsement of another party did not violate SANCO’s constitution, as anyone could join SANCO, and there was no breach by supporting a different party.
Cele warned, however, that if Zuma were to use SANCO’s emblem and name to campaign for the uMkhonto WeSizwe party, it would be problematic, as it would imply an association that SANCO does not have.
The uMkhonto WeSizwe party, backed by Zuma, has been registered with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) to contest the 2024 national elections. Not affiliated with the ANC, the party has no links to the ruling party.
