The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal accused former president Jacob Zuma of "gross ill-discipline" for publicly "divorcing the ANC" by backing the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party.

Provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo was scathing in his assessment of Zuma’s political maneuvering.

He was speaking at the Garden Court Hotel in Durban’s beachfront before a large contingent of journalists and various wings and partners of the ANC in the province, including Cosatu and the ANC Youth League.

On Saturday, 81-year-old Zuma held a press briefing at the Ipelegeng Centre in Soweto where he denounced the "ANC of Ramaphosa" and said he would not campaign for the party in the upcoming elections. 

Instead, he would vote for the newly formed MK Party, which is named after the ANC's military wing during apartheid.

Zuma said the party was registered with the Electoral Commission of South Africa with his "knowledge and blessings".

He also said he would be establishing a "patriotic front" to "steer the ship of total liberation".

In recent months, he said he met with "leaders of our people across the spectrum", including 10 registered political parties.

They discussed the formation of a patriotic front and a voting bloc after the election to pursue "a minimum consensus programme" where they have at least 10 common points they agree on.

Mtolo said that for the first time in the ANC’s 111 years of existence, “a former president and outstanding leader of our movement announces publicly his decision to vote for another political party, and effectively campaign for that party".

He added:

We view that as literally divorcing the ANC and leaving the ANC to make another political formation. This is a form of gross ill-discipline.

In the ANC's constitution, the party lists under acts of misconduct: "joining or supporting a political organisation or party, other than an organisation in alliance with the ANC, in a manner contrary to the aims, objectives and policy of the ANC" and "acting as the election agent or canvasser of a person standing in such election for any political party and in opposition to a candidate duly endorsed by the national executive committee or provincial executive committee".

Meanwhile, Mtolo said the ANC in the province was faring well, winning four recent by-elections, including two in Msunduzi and one in eThekwini.

The party has, however, seen some decline in support in KZN in recent years with the Inkatha Freedom Party, Democratic Alliance and smaller parties eating into the ANC's once guaranteed stronghold.

Mtolo said that the KZN branch of the ANC was focused on the upcoming elections, adding that the recent by-election wins indicated what the populace wanted.  

"It is clear that the people of KZN, the masses, who are the true assessors of the progress made by the ANC, have shown their support."

New MK Party has nothing to do with ANC

Mtolo said the ANC wanted to make it clear that the true uMkhonto weSizwe was launched on 16 December 1961.

He said the new uMkhonto weSizwe was not "genuine".

"It is a party disguised to lure voters and loyal members of the ANC to think it is the same thing as uMkhonto weSizwe of the ANC."

He said the requirements to join the ANC’s uMkhonto weSizwe were clear.

"You should have a force number, know your commander, know your cell and the camp you were in during exile. The [MK Party] has recruitment forms, they recruit anyone. Even my child born in 2000 can be part of this."

He said the "real" uMkhonto weSizwe was still a part of the ANC and would continue to campaign for the party in the run up to the 2024 general elections.

"They will be in our campaign working with us door to door, asking the people of KZN to vote for ANC. We are happy with the reception we are receiving from people in KZN who still have hope of ANC."

On Saturday, the ANC sought to lay claim to the legacy of MK by issuing a statement to mark the 62nd anniversary of uMkhonto weSizwe.

"As the ANC, we hold the collective members of MK in the highest regard, venerating them as the heroes and heroines of our struggle. While risking life and limb in service to our people, their invaluable contribution was pivotal in securing our democratic breakthrough in 1994," reads the statement.

"Although MK was officially disbanded in 1994, the spirit and moral compass of its veterans continue to inspire and guide us.

"We owe it to our living heroes not to falter in our commitment to the cause. Our resolve for 'decisive action to advance people's interests and renew our movement' must be unwavering."