Fikile Mbalula, the Secretary General of the ANC addressed members of the media outside the TRC Cases Inquiry in Newtown, Johannesburg on Wednesday.
ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula, who testified at the TRC Cases Inquiry on Wednesday, has revealed that the party has been aware for some time of the MK Party's intentions to recruit former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede. This week, the MK Party, led by Jacob Zuma, unveiled Gumede as a prominent candidate for the upcoming local government elections, scheduled for November.
Speaking to members of the media after his testimony before the Khampepe Commission of Inquiry, probing allegations of political interference in the investigations of TRC-related matters, Mbalula said Gumede's decision will not take away from the party's preparations for the upcoming local government elections in November.
"At the end of the day, with the upcoming local government elections, we knew that the MK Party would recruit her to be the face of eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. It is fine, and the struggle continues. The ANC will continue to work to serve the people of this country and contest in eThekwini," Mbalula stated.
Addressing concerns regarding any potential rift, Mbalula clarified that the ANC holds no ill will towards either Jacob Zuma or the MK Party, stating, "We are not at war with Zandile. She has chosen her path, which is Jacob Zuma. It is fine. Despite anything else, we do not think there were any issues. For us, it is not really a shock."
