Latest news with #uMkhontoweSizwe
The Citizen
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
MK party slams Ramaphosa over missed Mandela Day deadline
The MK party listed a range of actions that they would take should the president not step down. The MK party claims it has taken note of President Cyril Ramaphosa's failure to abide by a resignation ultimatum the party had issued earlier this month. Former president Jacob Zuma's party confirmed that Ramaphosa had until Mandela Day, Friday, July 18, 2025, to tender his resignation or face several repercussions. Missed deadline MK party national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela has now written to National Assembly speaker Thoko Didiza to table a motion of no confidence against Ramaphosa. 'The uMkhonto weSizwe party notes that Mr Cyril Ramaphosa has failed to meet the deadline set by the Chief Justice to file opposing papers in the Constitutional Court, following President Jacob Zuma and the MK party challenging the matter surrounding Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, the illegal appointment of an acting Minister, as well as forcing the judiciary to investigate itself last week'. ALSO READ: Here's why Zuma's MK party wants Ramaphosa removed in 'urgent' motion of no confidence 'Defiance' Ndhlela said this is clear 'defiance of the directives issued by the Chief Justice.' 'It comes as no surprise that Ramaphosa, a known money-launderer, also doubles as a constitutional delinquent,' Ndhlela said. 'The Chief Justice had instructed Mr. Ramaphosa to respond by Tuesday, 22 July 2025, outlining the legal basis for three key decisions: placing Minister Senzo Mchunu on a 'leave of absence' instead of removing him as a Minister, appointing a non-Cabinet member to serve as an Acting Minister and requesting the judiciary to investigate itself. 'This latest move by Ramaphosa raises significant constitutional questions and concerns about transparency, accountability and his overall leadership. 'The failure to respond also undermines the integrity of the judiciary as well as the public's right to answers regarding the serious allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi,' Ndhlela said. Draft motion In the draft motion, Zuma's party asked Didiza to consider its motion of no confidence in Ramaphosa, accusing him of economic mismanagement, law enforcement failures, and 'failure to act decisively against corruption.' MK party parliamentary leader Dr John Hlophe claims that Ramaphosa's leadership has 'eroded public trust and allowed the country to unravel.' NOW READ: Why the ANC remains a safe haven for corruption
The South African
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The South African
Ramaphosa ignores MK Party deadline, motion of no confidence filed
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party plans to follow through on its promise to file a motion of no confidence in the National Assembly against President Cyril Ramaphosa. The party had issued an ultimatum for Ramaphosa to resign or retract comments he made during a national address concerning Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. The president did not to meet the MK Party's 18 July deadline. At a press briefing on Tuesday, 22 July, the party shared its latest developments, including its legal pursuits. The briefing was led by MK Party deputy president and its leader in Parliament, John Hlophe, and chief whip Colleen Makhubele. Members of Parliament ((MPs) Des Van Rooyen, Sanele Mwali, Wesley Douglas, Brian Molefe, and Sibongiseni Majola were also present. Makhubele stated that the motion was brought forward due to Ramaphosa's alleged 'failures' to dismiss Mchunu and to protect the country's most vulnerable citizens. The move comes just days after the party's Mandela Day march, which called for Ramaphosa's resignation. The MK Party claimed the march had strengthened its call for justice and accountability. A motion of no confidence is a formal mechanism used by MPs. It indicates that they no longer support the president or the Cabinet. If the motion is passed, it may lead to the resignation or removal of the individual or group concerned. According to Section 102 of the Constitution, any MP may propose such a motion. The speaker of the National Assembly is required to give the motion due consideration and must consult with the leader of government Bbsiness and the chief whip of the majority party before scheduling it. The speaker must also be satisfied that the motion complies with relevant rules and legal requirements. Once approved, the motion must be scheduled, debated, and voted on within a reasonable period. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
Ya Biladi
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
«We won't criticize him publicly», says Polisario after Zuma's Morocco visit and Sahara support
South Africa's former President Jacob Zuma remains under scrutiny following his recent visit to Morocco, where he expressed support for the 2007 autonomy plan for the Sahara in his capacity as leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party. The latest reaction comes from Mohamed Yeslem Beisat, the Polisario's former ambassador to South Africa and «foreign minister» of the self-proclaimed «SADR». «We as Polisario will never make public comments about comrade Jacob Zuma because of his age and because he has been friends with us for the last 50 years», Beisat told South Africa's Mail & Guardian. «Unless we meet and hear from him directly, we will never make Morocco happy by speaking badly or negatively about him», he added. Zuma's position has triggered strong political backlash in South Africa. The ruling African National Congress (ANC) condemned the move and called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to demand an official apology from Morocco for displaying the South African flag during a partisan meeting. Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), also weighed in. On Monday, he harshly criticized Zuma, calling him a «sellout». In response, Magasela Mzobe, head of the MK party's presidential office, defended Zuma's stance. He praised Morocco as «a prime example of how democracy and modernity can coexist under traditional leadership». Mzobe argued that after decades of deadlock, the most pragmatic solution is autonomy within Morocco, akin to South African provinces with self-governance under one national flag. «That's why we propose an autonomous region of Sahrawis under one country and one flag, Morocco», he argued. He added that the MK party intends to meet with the Polisario Front to explain why it believes autonomy, rather than independence, is the most realistic path forward after decades of unresolved conflict. It is worth noting that Zuma and a delegation from the MK party visited Morocco last week, meeting with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Rabat. During the visit, Zuma described Morocco's autonomy proposal as «a meaningful framework for local governance that also upholds Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara». The visit took place just weeks after the MK party, founded in December 2023 and now the third-largest political force in South Africa's National Assembly, officially recognized Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara.
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Julius Malema calls MK Party leader Jacob Zuma a ‘sellout' over his visit to Morocco
EFF leader Julius Malema has denounced former President Jacob Zuma's diplomatic visit to Morocco. Image: X/EFF Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has weighed in on former President and leader of uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party Jacob Zuma's recent visit to Morocco, calling him a 'sellout.' 'On (the issue of) Morocco, that was a complete sellout position,' he said on the sidelines of his court appearance at East London Magistrate's Court, in Eastern Cape. Malema, along with his former bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman, are accused of discharging a firearm in public during the EFF's fifth birthday celebrations in July 2018. The closing arguments from both the State and the defence are expected to be heard. The red berets leader and Snyman have previously pleaded not guilty to the charges. Malema's criticism comes after Zuma visited Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Rabat 'Now there's a manoeuvre, they are no longer emphasising their party position on Morocco,' Malema said. 'They are saying, a former head of state can visit any country and have interactions with those people. No one is questioning that, we are questioning his position and that of his party in relation to Morocco." Malema reaffirmed the EFF's support for the Sahrawi people's struggle for independence. 'We are very clear, we are for the people of Western Sahara and we must make sure that they too realise their freedom in their lifetime.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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The MK Party released a policy position earlier this week explaining that they believe South Africa and the Kingdom of Morocco should be committed to strengthening their bilateral relations, grounded in shared principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and African unity. 'The MK Party's identity is deeply rooted in the historic struggle for liberation and dignity in South Africa. Similarly, Morocco's history is marked by its resistance to colonial domination and its determined pursuit of national unity. 'Both nations were shaped by their anti-colonial struggles — South Africa from apartheid and Morocco from French and Spanish rule. 'In this regard, Morocco has played a pivotal role in supporting South Africa through its fight for liberation. Morocco was the first country to lend financial and military support to Umkhonto weSizwe in 1962. 'Morocco's efforts to reclaim its full territorial integrity align with the MK Party's commitment to preserving the sovereignty and unity of African states,' the policy states. On Saturday, the ANC lambasted the use of the national flag in Zuma's meeting with Moroccan officials. 'This reckless and provocative act constitutes a flagrant violation of international diplomatic norms and an unacceptable intrusion into South Africa's internal political affairs. It is a dangerous attempt to delegitimise our constitutional order and discredit the authority of a democratically elected government. 'This inclusion of our national symbols in partisan activities hosted by foreign powers is not only misleading but also part of a broader agenda of foreign interference,' the ANC said. The party called on the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to issue a formal diplomatic protest and to demand an immediate explanation and apology from the Moroccan authorities. 'We also call on all South Africans, regardless of political affiliation, to reject this dangerous precedent that threatens our sovereignty, our democracy, and our national unity. 'We further condemn the opportunistic involvement of Jacob Zuma, who has aligned himself with efforts that erode South Africa's standing in the international community and betray the principles of non-alignment, peace, and anticolonial solidarity that he once purported to uphold,' the party said. 'The leader of the MKP has revealed his true colours by demonstrating a lack of belief in the ANC's political, economic, and ideological principles of progressive internationalism, Pan-Africanism, and solidarity on both international and continental levels. 'It is shameful that a former leader of a liberation movement is betraying our historical mission and showing his true colours as he stands in opposition to the aim of contributing to the creation of a better Africa and world that is more humane, just, equitable, democratic, and free world,' the ANC said. On Sunday, Mbalula said that Zuma's actions are not a surprise as 'Jacob Zuma represents everything that is... pursued by sellouts'. Mbalula came out to address the media during a short interval at the Cape Sun Hotel, where the ANC's National Working Committee (NWC) met with the Provincial Executive Committee. This forms part of the ANC's ongoing efforts to strengthen its organisational capacity and engage directly with structures of the movement across regions and districts. 'We, as the ANC, will fight side-by-side for the self-determination of the Sahrawi people. We are in solidarity with them, and Morocco must stop the occupation of Western Sahara. 'Zuma is no messiah. He is a sellout of note. For whatever reason, he is doing this is no surprise to us,' Mbalula said. 'The very decision to steal the assets of the ANC to form a political party, and call it what it is, to divide our people, to weaken the African National Congress, for his own personal aggrandisement, is what he has been. He will be remembered for that by history.' IOL Politics
Eyewitness News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
MK Party wants to table no-confidence motion against Ramaphosa over SAPS crisis
JOHANNESBURG - The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party wants to table another motion of no confidence in President Cyril Ramaphosa. The party accuses Ramaphosa of turning a blind eye to allegations of political interference in the South African Police Service (SAPS). KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleges senior police officials are meddling with police investigations. ALSO READ: • MKP hands over list of demands to Presidency, wants Mchunu fired • Zuma, MKP file urgent ConCourt application to reverse Ramaphosa's police ministry shake-up • Mchunu eager to present his side of story at inquiry probing allegations against him The MK Party had given the president until 9AM on Friday morning to reverse the announcements he made last Sunday. These included the appointment of Firoz Cachalia as acting police minister, the establishment of a commission of inquiry, and placing Senzo Mchunu on leave. MK Party spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, said that these measures failed to adequately address the alleged criminal infiltration within the police service. "As per section 102 of the Constitution, we are going to call and table a motion of no confidence against the president in Parliament. This president is a constitutional delinquent. He doesn't have what it takes to lead this country. He fraternises and allows his minister to fraternise with criminals." The party has also approached the Constitutional Court on an urgent basis to set aside the president's announcements.
