The ANC has lost yet another legal battle against Jacob Zuma’s MK Party over the use of their trademark. This comes after the recent legal battle where they tried to stop Zuma from running for the presidential elections.
ANC’s Case Against MK Party Dismissed
ANC’s secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, sought a court order to prohibit MK from using the name and logo, which the ANC argued were part of its heritage and intellectual property. Additionally, Mbalula demanded royalties from MK for what they deemed as unauthorized usage of a logo resembling that of uMkhonto weSizwe. However, the court, presided over by Acting Judge Nicolette Beket, dismissed the ANC’s application with costs, ruling that there was no evidence of irregular use of the MK logo.
Previous Legal Triumphs for MK
This recent court victory adds to a series of legal successes for the MK Party. Just two weeks ago, the Electoral Court ruled in favour of former president Jacob Zuma’s eligibility to contest elections despite objections citing his previous conviction. In another instance in March, the ANC failed to secure a case against the MK Party aimed at deregistering it. The ANC’s attempt to invalidate MK’s registration from September 2023 was thwarted by the court, which rebuked the ANC for procedural shortcomings.
Response from MK Party
When questioned about the absence of former President Jacob Zuma from the trademark court case, MK party founder Jabulani Khumalo stated that Zuma was occupied with other matters. Khumalo, along with Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, Zuma’s daughter, expressed elation following the court’s verdict. Khumalo emphasized that the ANC’s legal pursuits were aimed at undermining MK Party, reiterating the party’s commitment to its cause. Advocate Dali Mpofu, representing MK Party, asserted that the Electoral Court was the appropriate venue for addressing such matters, given the ANC’s invocation of relevant legal provisions.