INTERNATIONAL

Ramaphosa speaks on Jacob Zuma ANC poll snub

By Staff Reporter

President Cyril Ramaphosa says Jacob Zuma has a right under South African laws to vote for a candidate of his own choice as he responded Monday to vows by the former president, he will not cast a ballot in favour of the governing ANC in next year’s elections.

Zuma, South African leader between 2009 and 2018, said weekend he will vote for Umkhonto we Sizwe instead of ANC.

Commenting about his political future on Saturday, the 81-year-old politician said his conscience will not allow him to campaign for his successor Ramaphosa.

“In 2024 I will vote for Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party — it has already been registered with the IEC, with my knowledge and blessings,” said the former leader in surprise dismissal of a party in which he has been a member for 64 years.

“I have decided that I cannot and will not campaign for the ANC of [president Cyril] Ramaphosa. It is not the ANC I joined, it will be a betrayal to campaign for the ANC of Ramaphosa. My conscience will not allow that.

“I call on all South Africa to join me in voting for the MK party, or any progressive party that seeks total liberation and the return of our land to its rightful owners. This government is led by sell-outs and apartheid collaborators.”

The former leader and one of South Africa’s anti-apartheid stalwarts said among the decisions that have led to his decision to dump ANC was that it has been “reduced to an organisation that is hardly respected by those it sought to liberate”.

He emphasised, though, he would not be entirely deserting the party, saying: “I will die ANC.”

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