Jacob Zuma did not appear at his party’s rally in uMhlathuze on October 3. Supporters at the Esikhawini College Sports Grounds chanted Ukuphi uZuma, asking where Zuma is. KwaZulu-Natal provincial leader Willis Mchunu led the programme instead.

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party is campaigning ahead of South Africa’s local government elections on November 4. The party wants to take over the City of uMhlathuze on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast. It will contest the local polls for the first time.

Deputy coordinator Zandile Mngenge said residents cannot live without basic services. She said some areas had no water for four days. She also cited uncollected refuse. The party says it is ready to take over the municipality.

An Ipsos survey published on September 4 put MK support in eThekwini at 55 per cent among voters who named a party. The party is also fighting internal disputes over candidate lists. Zuma recently ordered the removal of members who disrupted a Durban prayer meeting over the lists.