Former president Jacob Zuma, now leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, has announced African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) member Tony Yengeni as his latest high-profile recruit.

Yengeni, a long-time ANC stalwart, will serve as the MK Party’s second deputy president, Zuma confirmed at a media briefing in Durban on Thursday afternoon.

“A very serious and well-known comrade, a lawyer by profession—not just a lawyer, but one who speaks for the people,” Zuma said. “He is a serious lawyer who can handle all matters, regardless of where they come from.”

Zuma added: “You all know him because he’s a man who speaks. We’re giving him a job as a deputy president and also a leader in Parliament.

“But given the growth of our organisation, we want him now to concentrate mainly on Parliament—to deal with parliamentary issues, laws, and legal matters.

“He can’t do that and also be at the main office. Therefore, as we have said before, we are adding another leader who will be with us full time.”

Zuma then named Yengeni as the new addition to the party’s top leadership.

Yengeni joins the leadership ranks alongside former Western Cape judge president John Hlophe, who serves as the MK Party’s first deputy president.

Yengeni is a former ANC NEC member and previously served as chief whip in Parliament before his 2003 conviction for fraud.

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL Politics

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