Nokukhanya Mntambo5 August 2024 | 5:45

Zuma welcomes former NFP's Mdletshe to MK Party

Mdletshe quit the NFP two weeks after the May 29 elections, following the party's decision to partner with the ANC, DA and IFP in KZN.

Zuma welcomes former NFP's Mdletshe to MK Party

An MK Party media briefing in Sandton, Johannesburg on 16 June 2024. Picture: Xanderleigh Dookey Makhaza/Eyewitness News

JOHANNESBURG - Former Secretary General of the National Freedom Party (NFP), Canaan Mdletshe, is the latest person to be unveiled as a member of the Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party.

Mdletshe quit the NFP two weeks after the May 29 elections, following the party's decision to partner with the African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA) and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in KwaZulu-Natal.

Following complicated negotiations, the NFP agreed to a coalition with the three parties in a widely criticised move.

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Mdletshe said he resigned as a matter of principle, adding he could not be a part of a decision to go to bed with the ANC after voters snubbed the party at the polls.

He joined MK party leader Jacob Zuma on stage in Nkandla at an event on the weekend where scores of supporters cheered on as he was inducted.

Mdletshe said this marks a significant move in his political career.

"The reason why I chose the MK Party out of all other political parties is simply because the MK Party represents the aspirations of the ordinary people in this country. I think it's the first time we have a political party that represents ordinary people," he said.

The latest additions come amid concerns of internal spats over leadership positions, with reports that the party's Secretary-General Arthur Zwane has again been fired by Zuma.