Not a good look for MK party

There are three members of former president Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party who have distinguished themselves in the pursuit of the truth in the parliamentary ad hoc committee looking into allegations of political interference and corruption in the police and judiciary.

- Sydney Majoko

The MPs, David Skosana, Sibonelo Nomvalo and Thulani Shongwe, are not only distinguishable in parliament because of their incisive and well-researched questions to witnesses, but by their military-type regalia as well.

And therein lie the contradictions in the former president's party: brilliance laced with the deliberate outward appearance of paramilitary leanings.

Reports of MK members at the front line of the Russia-Ukraine war came as no surprise, because of the posture the party has assumed, even just in terms of physical attire.

What is unsettling are the allegations that some of the MK party members find themselves in the conflict zone after signing contracts which they did not understand.

While they might have agreed to undergo military training in Vladimir Putin's Russia, it appears they were not aware that they would be exposed to any real-life action on the Russian-Ukranian war front line.