The families of late ANC veterans have declined proposed visits from ex-president Jacob Zuma and uMkhonto we Sizwe party.
On Wednesday, a poster was distributed, announcing Jacob Zuma’s campaign in Limpopo. The campaign was planned to visit two burial sites of former minister Collins Chabane in Xikundu village and Peter “Dambuza” Malada in Makonde Village, Thohoyandou.
The Collins Chabane Foundation distanced themselves from the visits and rejected any relationship with the MK party and criticised Zuma and his MK party for looking for votes and “resuscitating broken careers”.
“The foundation would like to make it clear that Chabane’s family, the Mhinga royal house, and the foundation have not given the purported organisation permission to visit the family graveyard where the late Chabane has been laid to rest,” it said in a statement.
The family said the move was insensitive and trampling on the spirit of the late MK veteran.
“His final resting place is a family property that is sacrosanct to the Mhinga clan. The family expects no-one at their graveyard on the date. Let no-one trample upon his soul and name for entrepreneurial political purposes.”
Malada’s family said they noted the announcement “with concern”.
“While we acknowledge the challenges our country faces, we emphasise Peter Dambuza was a committed member of the ANC and its military wing Umkhonto we Sizwe and its ideals,” they said.
“The Dambuza Foundation and the Malada family remain loyal to the ANC and we refuse that the name and legacy of commander Dambuza be abused to divide our beloved movement, the ANC.”
It said Dambuza had always voted for the ANC.
“The foundation and the family have no right or wish to change his decision on his grave, consistent with his legacy. We therefore call upon his comrades and the broader community to rally behind the ANC during the upcoming elections.
“This is mischievous and a crude attempt to distort the true values of Dambuza and what he politically stood for throughout his life.”
The family and foundation warned Zuma and the MK party to desist from political opportunism in attempting to honour Dambuza’s memory.