The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has remained silent after the ANC refuted claims that it had approached the MKP to join the Government of National Unity (GNU). 

The claims were made in a leaked audio recording purportedly featuring MKP president Jacob Zuma.

The audio recording, which has not been independently verified, claims that the ANC approached the MKP to join the GNU as part of a covert agenda to exclude other political parties, specifically the DA. The ANC has denied these allegations, calling them “unfounded and misleading”.

Despite the ANC’s denial, the MKP has not publicly commented on the matter, raising  questions about the authenticity of the claims made in the leaked audio recording.

Attempts to reach out to MKP spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela, through texts, that he read were not successful.

The voice note revealed how the former president recently rejected advances to join the GNU and the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) in KwaZulu-Natal. 

In the voice note directed at senior MKP members in a closed meeting of the National High Command, a voice purportedly to be that of Zuma was outright adamant his reluctance for his party joining the GNU and that if they did the deal would sideline the DA.

However, the ANC has categorically denied the claims, saying it has not approached Zuma or the MKP to join the GNU. 

“The ANC, through its spokesperson, Mahlengi Bengu-Motsiri, categorically states that it has not approached Mr. Zuma or the MKP to join the Government of National Unity. No such discussions have taken place,”  Bhengu-Motsiri wrote in a statement.

The ANC’s denial has emphasised that it has conducted all GNU engagements transparently, in good faith, and in line with the spirit and letter of the Constitution of South Africa.

“We have conducted all GNU engagements transparently, in good faith, and in line with the spirit and letter of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,” she said. 

“At no point has the ANC engaged in or contemplated any clandestine strategy to marginalise any party that is a constituent of the GNU.”

The MKP’s lack of response has also sparked speculation about the party’s intentions and its relationship with the ANC. 

A source within the ANC has suggested that the MKP may be trying to create confusion and tension within the GNU, especially the already-fractured relationship between the ANC and the DA.

Tensions between the two parties have escalated after the DA opposed the 0,5% Value Added Tax (VAT) increase that was proposed by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. The VAT matter is currently at the Western Cape High Court widening cracks between the two parties.

The ANC has also called for responsible leadership and a commitment to the values of honesty and accountability in the current climate. 

“In the current climate, the ANC calls for political maturity, responsible leadership, and a commitment to the values of honesty and accountability,” the ANC said.

The party quoted former President Samora Machel, who warned against “the indirect and secondary enemy, who presents himself under the cover of a nationalist and even as a revolutionary thus making it difficult to identify him”.

The party reaffirmed its focus on delivering for the people, including jobs, fighting poverty, and building a more just, equal, and non-racial South Africa. “Our focus remains resolutely on delivering for our people – on jobs, on fighting poverty, and on building a more just, equal, and non-racial South Africa,” the statement read.

The ANC  further emphasised that the GNU is not a transactional convenience alliance, but a constitutional mechanism to secure inclusive governance, defend democratic gains, and accelerate transformation in the interest of the people of SA.

mashudu.sadike@inl.co.za

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