South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) faced a setback in its legal battle to prevent a new party from using the name and logo of its former armed wing, uMkhonto we Sizwe.
The ANC had initiated legal action against the uMkhonto we Sizwe Party, led by ex-President Jacob Zuma, alleging a violation of the Trademark Act by appropriating the name and emblem of its former military branch.
However, the Durban High Court, on Monday, ruled against the ANC’s plea, permitting the uMkhonto we Sizwe Party to continue using the name, which translates to Spear of the Nation.
The court’s decision represents a significant victory for the uMkhonto we Sizwe Party, particularly as the country approaches the general election scheduled for 29 May.
Supporters of Jacob Zuma erupted in celebration within the courtroom upon hearing the judgement.
This legal triumph for the uMkhonto we Sizwe Party follows a recent setback for the ANC, where its efforts to prevent MK from participating in the upcoming election were thwarted as the ANC had argued that MK did not meet the official registration criteria.
The name and logo of uMkhonto we Sizwe hold immense political significance due to the historical role of the former armed wing in the struggle against apartheid, symbolising the fight against white-minority rule in South Africa.
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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