The Umkhonto Wisizwe Party (MK) cited security concerns as the reason why party leader Jacob Zuma did not address a rally in the village of Sengwabalwana in Limpopo province yesterday.
Mr Zuma was scheduled to address a rally during the region's Freedom Day celebrations at the invitation of traditional leader Kgosi T.J. Maleboho.
Despite Zuma's absence, MK party state leader Cyril Jacques said campaigning in the state was progressing smoothly.
“The president confirmed that he was unable to attend for security reasons. We received that message late yesterday, and all of you in the media understand that very well. Our election. The movement has been going on since day one, with rallies and motorcades and rallies and greetings. We are doing all this with zero budget and we will continue what we started.”
On the other hand, some political experts are of the view that the expulsion of some MK party executives will not affect the next general election. This comes after the party's national leadership announced the expulsion of Jabulani Khumalo and four other party members who registered with the party in September last year.
The party said in a statement that attempts by outside forces to destabilize the MK party prompted the decision.
After appearing in court earlier this month, Zuma made it clear that the current leadership was interim. Mr Zuma was clear that there was still much change in the party.
He warned them about the competition for leadership positions.
“If you get out of hand, we'll get rid of you. People who use money to force us to do what we want, we think we don't know, and (we) know better.” ”
Now that the party is not shying away from taking action, the question is whether this will negatively impact how it is received as election day approaches.
Political analyst Levy Ndou explains: “Losing members or expelling members at such an early stage, at such a critical time in the run-up to elections, should be worrying for the MK party in the sense that it is necessary now. This is so that certain people can make their mark in elections. But on the other hand, they would prefer a situation where there are political parties, no rules and regulations are followed, and everyone can do whatever they want. ”
Another political analyst, Thobani Zikalala, said he did not think there would be a major impact.
“For me, I think it is not good in terms of the way the party is organized, but the fact that everyone who appears to be connected to the party is connected mainly because former president Jacob Zuma was there. Remember, the people who brought in so many people are still there, so I don't think it will have much of an impact on whether the people you expel get expelled or not.”
It is unclear at this point whether those expelled from the party will take any legal action.
