Political Tensions Rise as GNU Accused of Using State Resources to Discredit Jacob Zuma

The Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has accused the coalition government, the Government of National Unity (GNU), of using state resources to discredit and erase the contributions of former President Jacob Zuma.

The party claims that the GNU is manipulating government social media platforms to mislead the public and diminish Zuma’s role in South Africa’s history.

A controversy erupted when the government’s official Twitter account (@GovernmentZA) posted images of local dignitaries attending the inauguration of Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Saturday. While the post highlighted President Cyril Ramaphosa and other former South African presidents who attended the event, it made no mention of Zuma, despite his presence.

The MK Party argues that this omission was deliberate and politically motivated, aimed at undermining the party ahead of next year’s elections.

“This move by the GNU is a clear insult to Zuma and the country at large. By choosing not to acknowledge his presence, the GNU has shown a disregard for the principles of honest and impartial reporting, which are the cornerstones of democratic governance,” the party said in a statement.

The party further stated that Zuma’s attendance at the event was well received by the Namibian government and its citizens.

As the largest opposition party outside the GNU, the MK Party has been vocal in its criticism of the coalition government. The party made significant electoral gains in last year’s elections, which prevented the ANC from securing a majority and forced the formation of a coalition government.

In June last year, the MK Party attempted to block the sitting of Parliament, alleging electoral fraud.

The government has yet to comment on why Zuma was omitted from the official post regarding the inauguration of President Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia’s first female president.