We can’t expect trash politics, but we can certainly expect the executive to be held to account, and we can’t expect the MK Party to be part of the proposed Government of National Unity (GNU).These are the views of Umkhonto weSizwe parliamentary leader, Dr John Hollophe.
It's judgement day for the MK leaders who have finally arrived at the party to be sworn in as MPs. Though the party still intends to contest the election results, its 58 MPs are ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work.
“Some of the parties in the Government of National Unity have made it clear that they do not want to work with MK. Unfortunately, the feeling is mutual. We also do not want to work with unrepresentative parties. We only want to work with progressive forces in the country. I have in mind the EFF, ATM and other progressive parties – parties that have a history of being on the side of the poor. With all due respect, the ANC is no longer the party of the poor,” Hlophe said.
Hlophe predicts that the Government of National Unity, which he calls a government of national convenience, will collapse and has not ruled out backing an emergency motion by the EFF calling for President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate the Pala Pala scandal.
“If the party resolves to support it, we will not hesitate. If the party is against it, we will stop. But I can say categorically that President Ramaphosa is exonerated.”
Hlophe said he was still resisting impeachment by Parliament.
“I still want to win because there is a benefit. Remember, I was not paid anything by the government. Not even my salary. I was fired and treated like a dog. I was fired on the 6th, I received the impeachment papers. It is dated March 6, 2024, my salary was suspended. I was not even paid for that week's salary. I have been a judge for 29 years and I was not even paid for my accumulated vacation pay. Looking at the conduct of the judges, I am entitled to my salary.”
He is unfazed by market and business sentiment towards the MK Party's proposal for constitutional amendments on land acquisition.
“Just because we want to please the West doesn't mean we have to abandon our objectives. We are not here to please anybody. We are here as MK to serve, to serve the people of this country first and foremost. It's not about pleasing the West, it's not about pleasing the East, it's not about pleasing anybody. It's not just about what is good for us as a political party, it's about what is good for South Africa first and foremost.”
MK says South Africans should not expect petty politics from the party, but that the executive will be held to account.