Traditional leaders withdraw support from Jacob Zuma's MKP amid rising tensions

UMKHONTO weSizwe Party (MKP) and its leader, former president Jacob Zuma, continue to woo traditional leaders and cultural groups across the country despite being dumped by Injeje yabeNguni and royal kingdoms this week.

- LOYISO SIDIMBA

Injeje announced that it had resolved to rescind its endorsement of MKP throughout the country with immediate effect.

"This determination emerged from a special conclave convened to deliberate extensively upon the strained relations between MKP and the revered institution on uBukhosi," the cultural group said this week.

It cited its visit to Zuma's kwaDakwadunuse homestead in kwaNxamalala, Nkandla a week ago as the events that precipitated the decision.

Traditional leaders from across the country were forced to leave without an audience with Zuma and accused the MKP of deliberately and systematically disregarding traditional leaders’ authority.

According to Injeje, the MKP has made it abundantly clear with its treatment of traditional leaders that the continued association would result in erosion of dignity and diminishing of their forefathers’ thrones.