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Fact-Check — Is Iqbal Survé the funder behind Jacob Zuma’s new political party?

Jacob Zuma's new political party, Umkhonto We Sizwe, is shrouded in controversy and speculation — from its registration to its funding.
Fact-Check — Is Iqbal Survé the funder behind Jacob Zuma’s new political party? Jacob Zuma (Former SA President) at the Mkhonto Wesizwe 62th Anniversary at Petrus Molefe Eco Park on December 16, 2023 in Soweto, South Africa. uMkhonto we Sizwe was the paramilitary wing of the African National Congress, founded by Nelson Mandela in the wake of the Sharpeville massacre in 1961. (Photo by Gallo Images/Fani Mahuntsi)
Rebecca Davis
By Rebecca Davis
22 Dec 2023
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At this stage, we know very little about a new political party backed by Jacob Zuma called Umkhonto We Sizwe, which is obviously also the name of the ANC’s military wing during apartheid — so the name is a direct provocation to the ANC, and the party has said that it will be exploring legal action.

 

Zuma has said that the party was established after calls to him from religious leaders, traditional leaders and former MK fighters. 

A document from the IEC shows that the party was registered on 7 September 2023 by a man called Jabulani Khumalo. 

At the time, Khumalo described himself as a dissatisfied ANC member and former Umkhonto We Sizwe soldier. Since then, however, multiple figures within both the ANC and MK have denied that Khumalo was ever an MK fighter — and that’s probably not an easy dispute to settle given how bad record keeping was from the time.

In the interim, it has been suggested online that one of the funders of this party is the owner of Independent Media, Iqbal Survé. According to one widely viewed tweet, Survé has pledged “hundreds of millions” to this party.

In a responding post, Survé has denied the claim, but the truth behind this remains uncertain. 

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Comments (10)

Pbekker Dec 22, 2023, 03:18 PM

Fact-Check: Did Zuma have a hand in the 3-billion-rand PIC investment in Surve's worthless shares?

Paul Nogueira Dec 23, 2023, 07:51 AM

Why would it be defamatory to fund a political party? That is itself defamatory , Mr Zuma - please check with infamous EFF legal beagle & perhaps Mr Survé can be coerced into funding the party by indirect means. Warning: multiple layers of sarcasm, irony and wit may have been baked into this tweet.

Paul Nogueira Dec 23, 2023, 07:51 AM

Why would it be defamatory to fund a political party? That is itself defamatory , Mr Zuma - please check with infamous EFF legal beagle & perhaps Mr Survé can be coerced into funding the party by indirect means. Warning: multiple layers of sarcasm, irony and wit may have been baked into this tweet.

Effortmachakaire@gmail.com Dec 23, 2023, 09:23 AM

I like this political party and wish good things and I'm sure we are going to win the election

andre26 Dec 23, 2023, 09:28 AM

No ways Icky gives his money to any cause, good or bad, its not in the narcissist playbook - he takes he doesn't give.

Derrick Kourie Dec 23, 2023, 10:17 AM

Whatever the truth about who is doing the funding, it is very important of quality journalism to pursue the truth with respect to who is funding which parties. In my view, this matter is under-investigated and under-reported. How on earth does the EFF get money to fund its events? What is in it for the donor? There will always be a quid pro quo --- either explicitly or implicitly. The public needs in depth knowledge about these matters.

Alex Rudi Dec 25, 2023, 07:53 AM

MK record keeping was about as good as their military prowess

Peter Worman Dec 25, 2023, 01:42 PM

Where there's smoke there's Surve

Cunningham Ngcukana Dec 25, 2023, 02:19 PM

I think what one had said is that the MK has been the propriety of the ANC and the ANC has decisions with regard to MK including its incorporation as its military wing. There is no doubt about that despite the confusion Jacob Zuma wants to sow. Secondly the ANC as the key party to CODESA where Zuma was part of its negotiating team has a decision with regard to the integration of MK as part of the SANDF. All the statutory and non statutory forces that formed the SANDF are therefore also a property of the SANDF. It is a criminal offence to seek to revive these because you are seeking to undo the SANDF. Thirdly the name belongs to the veterans association to look after the welfare of its ex combatants. A criminal case has to be opened against those involved of sedition. The issues of expulsion of Ace Magashule as an ex officio member of the NEC he failed to raise the issue even in public and it is jus political thuggery. The issue in relation to buying a conference was started by him with proceeds of crime and corruption and he was defeated at Nasrec with all the proceeds of crime and corruption. This is the reason the issue of CR17 does not arise in the ANC. If Zuma wants crowds for his concerts outside the courts he is free to have them. His non announcement needs to be ignored because it is meaningless. We are where we are because of him and must stop lying to people because he was part of the negotiations at CODESA. if there is a sell out he is the biggest one.

drpapnair Dec 26, 2023, 09:27 PM

Multiparty Democracy is the formula for a Thriving Democracy! More the number of parties the better. Strong debates in the parliament by the various parties, the better!