Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
19 June 2024 | 14:20 CAT

MK Party leader and former president Jacob Zuma (C), spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela (L) and legal representative Dali Mpofu (L) give a press conference in Johannesburg on 16 June 2024, two days after President Cyril Ramaphosa was re-elected for a second term. (Phill Magakoe/AFP)

The uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party has criticised forming a National Unity Government (GNU) while announcing that the party would be joining the Progressive Caucus in Parliament.

MK party leader Jacob Zuma has referred to the recently formed GNU as “nonsense”, adding that the party’s legal counsel has been instructed to dispute how the public broadcaster, the SABC, has been describing the political pact.

The MK Party leader, corruption-accused former president Jacob Zuma, announced on Sunday during a media briefing in Sandton, Johannesburg.

During the same briefing, Zuma said the MK Party had lodged an application with the Electoral Court to have the 2024 elections set aside and called for a re-run.

Despite initially boycotting the first sitting of the National Assembly over allegations of vote-rigging—which the court dismissed as without merit—MK decided to align with the Progressive Caucus to strengthen the opposition against the ANC-DA coalition government.

The newly formed Progressive Caucus is a parliamentary group representing about 13% of the National Assembly. A loose group of parties has indicated they will cooperate to take on the ANC-led government of National Unity (GNU). Its members include the EFF, UDM, Al Jama-Ah, African Transformation Movement, United Africans Transformation and Pan-Africanist Congress of Azania.

The GNU consists of the ANC, DA and IFP, and they have an overwhelming majority in the National Assembly. Reports have emerged that Gayton McKenzie’s Patriotic Alliance and Patricia de Lille’s Good have joined the GNU.

“As the main opposition, the progressive caucus only forms 13% of the legislature, which means they don’t have much of a voice. It would be almost difficult for them to hold the Executive accountable without the necessary numbers to do so,” Political Analyst Zakhele Ndlovu explained to Radio Islam International.

Ndlovu pointed out, “without much of a voice in the portfolio committee of parliament, it will be interesting to see how the opposition is going to hold the GNU accountable in the system of government.”

Listen to the full interview on Sabahul Muslim with Moulana Habib Bobat and Political Analyst Zakhele Ndlovu here.