South Africa’s ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), took legal action on Wednesday by filing a new court application aimed at preventing the opposition MK party, backed by scandal-tainted former president Jacob Zuma, from using its name. The ANC accused the MK party of intellectual property theft, arguing that its name and logo were too similar to those of the now disbanded apartheid-era military wing of the ANC, potentially causing confusion among voters. This legal maneuver comes amidst heightened political tensions in the southern African nation as it approaches general elections scheduled for May 29.
The ANC, which has been in power since the dawn of democracy in South Africa, is facing significant challenges and is expected to lose ground in the upcoming elections. Jacob Zuma, who was forced out of office in 2018 amidst corruption allegations, is actively campaigning for the MK party, seeking to rejuvenate his political career and undermine his former party, the ANC. The ANC, in a statement following the court filing, accused Zuma and his associates of unlawfully appropriating the uMkhonto we Sizwe logo and related symbols.
The urgent court application seeks to prevent the MK party from being associated with the ANC through its use of the name uMkhonto we Sizwe, which translates to “Spear of the Nation” in Zulu. Additionally, the ANC has demanded that the MK party be barred from using a logo depicting a fighter with a spear and shield, wearing traditional African attire, which closely resembles that of the former armed wing of the ANC. A court decision on the matter is expected to be announced in the coming days.
This legal dispute follows a previous court ruling on Tuesday, where a complaint by the ANC against the MK party’s registration was dismissed, allowing the small radical party to participate in the upcoming elections. With the ANC facing declining support due to economic challenges, corruption allegations, and mismanagement, the party is at risk of losing its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1994, potentially necessitating the formation of a coalition government. Jacob Zuma, addressing supporters outside the court, emphasized the importance of securing a decisive victory in the elections to maintain political influence.
