ANC lodges new appeal against the MK Party

The ANC has filed an urgent High Court application to stop “any further use” of its trademarks, symbols, and heritage by former President Jacob Zuma’s newly formed uMkhonto we Sizwe Party (MKP).

The ruling party says it has requested the High Court to interdict and restrain the “Zuma Party” from passing itself off as being connected with the African National Congress by using any other trademark.

The ANC has filed an urgent High Court application to obtain a court order that stops Mr. Zuma’s party (Zuma Party) currently referring to itself as the uMkhonto we Sizwe Party (MKP) from any further unlawful use of the ANC’s trademarks, symbols, and heritage. pic.twitter.com/rUl4x37D4a

— African National Congress (@MYANC) March 27, 2024

‘REMOVE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ON SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS’

“The ANC accepts that all South Africans have rights to certain fundamental freedoms, among which is the right to join or establish a political party of one’s choice,” says Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, national spokesperson for the ruling party.

“The party is not opposed to the Zuma Party’s presence on the ballot. However, in our opinion, fair elections can only be achieved if the Zuma Party is ordered to cease using our trademark and other symbols belonging to the ANC,” she said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

The ruling party said that the MK Party must remove ANC Intellectual Property (IP) from any of the Zuma Party’s websites, social media accounts, banners, t-shirts, signs, labels, promotional and advertising material, packaging, stationery, and other printed matter.

‘MK AN INTEGRAL PART OF ANC HISTORY AND LEGACY’

“South Africans know uMkhonto weSizwe to be the armed wing of the ANC. There should be no dispute that uMkhonto weSizwe was established by the ANC in 1961 and that it fought gallantly for the liberation of South Africa under the full command of the ANC leadership,” it said.

The ruling party said that around 1993, the ANC, under President Mandela, ordered its army, Umkhonto weSizwe, to disarm and to cease all military hostilities against all enemies of the party to give way to the negotiated transition which ushered in democracy in South Africa.

“Although MK cannot continue to exist as an army, its rich history is worth protecting and sharing with future generations. “

“To this end, the ANC has continued to regard uMkhonto weSizwe as an integral part of its legacy and heritage, the custodians of which are the MK Liberation War Veterans,” the party said.