Zuma remarks at MK Party rally spark debate over foreign nationals - IOL
Former President Jacob Zuma addresses thousands of MK Party supporters at Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu during his first public appearance after an 11-day hospital stay.
MK Party President Jacob Zuma's remarks at the party's final rally at Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu on Saturday have sparked heated debate over anti-migrant sentiment online.
Addressing thousands of supporters in his first public appearance after 11 days in hospital, Zuma said: "Ngeke sibaxoshe abantu, abanye sebehlale iminyaka ngeminyaka" (We will not chase people away, some have stayed for years and years.)
The clip, which was livestreamed and has since gone viral on Facebook, has drawn mixed reactions from commenters.
While some defended the remarks, saying Zuma was referring to legal residents and distinguishing them from undocumented foreigners, other commenters expressed disappointment, saying they had expected the MKP to take a tougher stance on foreign nationals.
Some commenters linked the remarks to the March and March movement's campaign against illegal immigration, questioning how the movement would respond.
Commenters on several Facebook pages said March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma had not yet responded to Zuma's statement, while others called for the movement to consider becoming a political party.
The MK Party has not yet issued an official statement clarifying the remarks. Zuma's office previously said his comments on foreigners must be understood in the context of grace and legality.
The remarks come just days after the MK Party publicly rallied behind March and March.
On Friday, the party issued an official media statement titled "Umkhonto Wesizwe Party affirms March and March's right to protest" - posted on the party's official Facebook page.
In the statement, the MKP condemned the Durban High Court interim interdict restricting March and March's protests in parts of the Durban CBD as "judicial overreach" and said it infringed on the constitutional right to protest.
The party called on members to gather outside the Durban High Court in solidarity with movement leader Ngobese-Zuma, who appeared in court on Friday morning alongside other leaders.
MKP provincial elections spokesperson Mkhuseli Mlengane said: "The legal proceedings have raised serious concerns about the exercise of citizens' constitutional right to assemble, demonstrate and express their grievances peacefully."
MKP said the right to protest is a fundamental democratic freedom that must be protected, not undermined.
The national statement, signed by national spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu, added: "The party calls on the GNU to stop the attack on March and March and affirms support for protesting injustice," while criticising the deployment of over 500 soldiers in KwaZulu-Natal.
The earlier backing had drawn praise from commenters, making Zuma's Sunday remarks a point of contention.
