Mbalula takes aim at Zuma amid ANC vs MK case pointing out 'selfish needs'

JOHANNESBURG - African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has come out guns blazing against former president Jacob Zuma.

The ANC and newly formed Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, which is now Zuma's new political home, squared off in the Electoral Court in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.

The case relates to the MK Party's registration with the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa, which the ANC says was executed without following due process.

Moreover, the ANC wants the MK Party's registration with the commission to be nullified.

Judgment in the matter has been reserved.

Meanwhile, Mbalula pulled no punches while speaking to members of the media after proceedings.

"He [Zuma] has historically abused the masses of the people as he continues to seek to do so today [Tuesday] by pretending that his selfish needs are, in fact, the needs of the people."

He further slammed suggestions that the ANC had treated Zuma badly.

"The ANC became too ambivalent and accommodative of leaders whose ethical orientation was at odds with its own values. Renewal is setting the bar higher again to ensure the ANC never ever allows an individual leader to lower its ethical bar to be accommodative."

Zuma was suspended from the ANC in response to his public support for the MK Party.

According to Mbalula, Zuma is yet to respond to the party's correspondence regarding the matter.