The Durban High Court is set to hear arguments regarding the case brought by the African National Congress (ANC) against the Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party over its name and logo.
Led by former president Jacob Zuma, the newly formed MK party consists of former members of Umkhonto Wesizwe and members of the Umkhonto Wesizwe Military Veterans Association.
ANC’s Objection to the Use of Name and  their Logo use
The ANC believes that it is inappropriate for the MK party to use the name and logo that were originally assigned to the ANC’s armed wing during the apartheid struggle. The party has expressed its concerns and requested the MK party to cease using the name and logo. However, the MK party has refused to comply with the ANC’s request.
Recent Developments and Court Proceedings
These court proceedings follow closely after Tuesday’s ruling by the Electoral Court, which dismissed the ANC’s attempt to deregister the MK party as a political party.
In December 2023, the ANC’s lawyers sent a letter to the MK party, warning them of potential legal action if they continued to use the logo and name associated with the former liberation movement’s paramilitary during apartheid.
With the MK party refusing to back down, the ANC has followed through on its threat, and both parties are now preparing to present their arguments in court on Wednesday.
All of these events are unfolding just two months before South Africans are scheduled to head to the polls, adding an additional layer of significance to the case.