By Celani Sikhakhane
The leaders of uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) Party chose to go to Easter services for prayers after the Independent Electoral Commision announced that former president Jacob Zuma would not be eligible for the ballot on election day.
The announcement prompted fears that the province of KwaZulu-Natal might descend into chaos, with concerns of looting and burning, particularly along national routes, similar to the events following Zuma’s arrest in July 2021.
But after the announcement Scrolla.Africa drove through all the July 2021 looting hotspots and there was no sign of any looting.
Even at the Mooi River toll plaza on the way to Escourt, there was peace and harmony.
The N11 from Ladysmith, where gun shops and the famous Defy factory were looted in 2021, there were no signs of these activities.
On Friday the regional commanders of uMkhonto Wesizwe were at various churches attending Easter church services.
Scrolla.Africa met the commanders of Amajuba District in Newcastle at Enyonini Mission, Madadeni Township, where they were given a platform to address thousands of Zion Church congregants.
The interim youth leader of uMkhonto Wesizwe, Bonginkosi Khanyile said all 4,000 voting stations in KZN will not be able to operate on 29 May 2024 if Zuma is not on the ballot.
“Forget about the IEC announcement which they made on Thursday. Come 29 May, if Zuma is not on the ballot, there will be no elections. We have decided that the 23,000 voting stations in the country will be burned to ashes if Zuma is not on the ballot. We are clear and not shaken by this announcement. Our date is on 29 May,” said Khanyile.
IEC head Mosotho Moepya said an objection was lodged against Zuma being on the ballot.
This caused anger among MK party members and many of them took to WhatsApp groups to vent their anger.
They even circulated the picture of a black Cape Town businessman whom they accused of being the person who filed the objection against Zuma..
The MK party has until 2 April to appeal the IEC decision on Zuma at the Electoral Court.
Pictured above: Former president Jacob Zuma’s supporters went to pray at the Living Waters Ministries on Friday after the IEC disqualified him from being on the ballot.
Image source: Supplied
