‘Those who win are those with money’ – Zuma on why MK party won’t have elective conferences

uMkhonto weSizwe party leader Jacob Zuma lambasted the modern political system, saying it has become controlled by those with money.

Zuma said this during a media briefing on Friday, where the MK party unveiled its latest developments.

Zuma highlights corruption in politics

The former president expressed concerns about the current state of democracy, questioning whether it’s truly representative of the people.

“Those who win are those who have the money,” he said, highlighting the corrupting influence of wealth in politics.

Zuma emphasised that politics has become a corrupt business, where individuals with money can buy influence and control.

“They pay people to elect so and so,” he said, pointing out that leaders are often elected by those with financial interests rather than the people. This, he argued, undermined true democracy.

Zuma himself was accused of having a corrupt relationship with the Gupta family, which led to him being pressured to resign as president of the country.

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MK party structure and leadership

Due to the corrupt influence in politics, Zuma said the MK party has decided to forego traditional conferences, opting instead for consultative conferences focused on discussing the party’s work and addressing shortcomings.

He outlined the MK party’s plan to hold consultative, rather than elective, conferences.

These meetings will focus on reviewing the party’s work, identifying shortcomings, and making decisions about future directions.

Zuma emphasised that this approach would involve all provinces coming together to discuss organisational matters and improve activities.

“We will meet, not conferences of elections, in what is called consultative conference, where we will be consulting about our work and looking at whatever we’ve done, what are the shortcomings, etcetera, and then take decisions, what then is the next,” Zuma explained.

The former president emphasised that leaders should be chosen on merit, not financial backing.

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Nationwide deployments announced

During the briefing, the party’s national organiser Floyd Shivhambu announced Dr. John Hlophe as the leader of the party’s national disciplinary committee.

The party also revealed plans to release its long-awaited constitution.

It was also announced that Zuma will lead organisational structures in KwaZulu-Natal, while Shivhambu would oversee Gauteng, and Hlophe would be deployed in the Western Cape.

[WATCH] MK Party national organiser Floyd Shivhambu announces Dr John Hlophe as the leader of party's national disciplinary committee, and how the party will deal with ill-discipline. He adds that they will today release the party's much awaited constitution.#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/9jK7spbcum

— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) October 11, 2024

MK party’s nationwide deployment strategy:

• Deputy President Dr. John Hlophe to Western Cape
• Secretary General Dr. Sfiso Maseko to Free State and Northern Cape
• Deputy Secretary General Nombo Mkhize to Mpumalanga
• National Chairperson Nkosinathi Hlepho to North West
• National Deputy Chairperson Wilson Mukocho Sibiluane to Eastern Cape
• Treasurer General Minzema Ngubane to Limpopo