The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has declared it will initiate rolling mass action in protest against the KwaZulu-Natal Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), which it accuses of failing the people of the province and being paralyzed by corruption.
The official opposition party held a media briefing in Durban on Tuesday to outline its plans, which include a major march supported by the African Transformation Movement (ATM) scheduled for Friday.
Despite having won the largest share of the vote in the province in the recent national elections, the MKP was excluded from power after the ANC, DA, IFP, and NFP formed a coalition GPU. The party now alleges this government has become a “government of exclusion, paralysis, and betrayal.”
MKP leadership levelled severe criticism at the GPU, claiming it has been unable to hold its own members accountable amidst allegations of corruption within the provincial executive. The party specifically pointed to the recent scandal surrounding the R2.9 billion school nutrition scheme, which has been marred by allegations of tender fraud and political interference.
“While communities are trapped in hunger, darkness and despair, GPU leaders cut secret deals with the very elites who blunder this country,” an MKP representative stated. “They call it unity, but it is unity of the corrupt.”
While Premier Thami Ntuli has confirmed he is looking into the nutrition scheme allegations, the MKP has dismissed this as insufficient, declaring it is now “taking its fight to the streets.”
In a separate matter, the party sought to downplay internal challenges, stating it is not concerned with the Mayibuye consultation process initiated by its former Secretary-General, Floyd Shivambu. The party Chairperson Willies Mchunu emphasized that the current focus is squarely on preparing for the upcoming local government elections.
“We can’t be bogged down on that,” Mchunu said. “The important thing for us now is to prepare for local government elections… is to get the support of the people of KwaZulu-Natal.”
Friday’s planned march is framed as the opening salvo in a broader campaign to expose the GPU’s failures directly to the public. The MKP has vowed that this will be the beginning of sustained mass action until its demands for accountability and service delivery are met.