Statement by MKMVA about the announcement of the special ANC NEC meeting to the effect that MKMVA is according to them disbanded
6 July 2021
The Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) has noted with dismay the ANC NEC statement today, as announced by the Deputy Secretary General (DSG) of the ANC, comrade Jessie Duarte, that the special ANC NEC meeting yesterday has reconfirmed the so-called disbanding of MKMVA. This is now the second time in the past two months that MKMVA has, in a totally non-procedural and illegal manner, been ‘disbanded’.
It is our distinct impression that the ANC is responding emotionally and in anger, in total disregard of the ANC Constitution and proper procedures. All of this just because of MKMVA’s support for President Jacob Zuma.
This is a totally unacceptable situation, which MKMVA will not accept. We are an autonomous structure, and it is not legally, nor politically, possible for the ANC to disband MKMVA.
MKMVA will continue to exist as an autonomous, and legally functional Association, governed by our own Constitution. Our MKMVA NEC will continue to carry out the democratic mandate bestowed on us by our 5th National Conference in 2017.
As MKMVA we are very serious about the unacceptable plight of many of our members, who are languishing in dire poverty. Instead of acting vindictively and emotionally, we would have expected the ANC NEC to enquire about progress by the Presidential Task Team to address the serious, and very legitimate needs, of our members. Especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the deepening crisis of growing inequality, poverty, and rampant joblessness in our country. It is deeply disconcerting that they fail to show such basic comradeship and concern.
Despite being treated in this callous manner, our MKMVA National Executive Committee (NEC) will continue to carry out all our duties in dedicated service to our members. As stated, these duties also include a resolution of our last National Conference, that as MKMVA we will support and protect President Jacob Zuma, who is also our Patron In Chief.
This is our democratic right, and we will not allow ourselves be victimized for adhering to that particular resolution, nor for adhering to all the other resolutions of our 5th National Conference - which also includes a comprehensive and strong resolution in favor of Radical Economic Transformation (RET).
In doing so MKMVA has always acted in a peaceful and disciplined manner, within the parameters of the law.
The NEC of MKMVA will meet tomorrow in an ofÞcial urgent meeting in order to address the current situation.
A further, more comprehensive statement, will be issued after that NEC meeting.
Issued by Carl Niehaus, National Spokesperson of MKMVA, 6 July 2021
