Zuma: ANC has no case against MK Party over uMkhonto weSizwe name & logo
The ANC wants the party to stop using the name uMkhonto weSizwe and its logo.
Former President Jacob Zuma addresses members of the media under the banner of new party uMkhontho We Sizwe on 16 December 2023. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/Eyewitness News
DURBAN - Former President Jacob Zuma says the African National Congress (ANC) has no case against the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party in respect of the use of the MK name and logo matter.
The ANC wants the party to stop using the name uMkhonto weSizwe and its logo.
In its heads of argument in court on Wednesday, the ANC claimed that it was linked to uMkhonto weSizwe, its armed wing, although it had disbanded it.
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However, the MK Party is adamant that the name and logo will stay.
The legal battle comes after the Electoral Court on Tuesday dismissed an ANC application to have the MK Party de-registered.
Lawyers for the ANC told the court that with the upcoming polls, the ANC wanted to stop the MK Party from using the name and logo, saying it was infringing on its registered trademark.
The party said it was still linked to MK as it was the name of its armed wing.
And although the ruling party disbanded uMkhonto weSizwe, it said the name was associated with the ANC.
But, MK Party lawyers argued that the ANC lacked the requisite legal standing to prevent them from using the name.
Judgment in the matter has been reserved.