ZUMA‑YENGENI: OLD ALLIES, NEW POWER PLAY

Tony Yengeni is the new second deputy president of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party.

By Mpho Dube, Editor‑in‑Chief, The Azanian

The appointment of Tony Yengeni as second deputy president of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party was no bolt from the blue. Long‑standing ties between former president Jacob Zuma and Yengeni, both veterans of the ANC’s arms‑deal scandal, have resurfaced in a high‑profile show of loyalty, cementing a partnership that dates back decades.

During a media briefing in KwaZulu‑Natal on Thursday, Zuma introduced Yengeni as “a serious lawyer who speaks for the people,” noting that the former ANC chief whip would now focus on parliamentary strategy and legal battles for the MK Party . The move comes just days after a court ordered Zuma to repay R28.9 million in legal fees , underscoring the financial and political pressures that have driven the alliance.

Yengeni’s history with Zuma is a tapestry of mutual support:

- July 2021 unrest: When Zuma was arrested for contempt of the Zondo Commission, Yengeni was among the first to visit him, offering solidarity.

- Arms‑deal fallout: In 2003, Yengeni was convicted of fraud linked to the controversial arms procurement. Zuma, then still a senior ANC figure, publicly defended him, and the two have since maintained a close bond.

- MK Party rise: Yengeni’s recent criticism of President Cyril Ramaphosa and his vocal support for Zuma’s narrative of “state capture” have positioned him as a key MK strategist .

Yengeni himself dismissed earlier rumors of his defection as “fake news,” explaining that a misleading poster had twisted an old statement he made to ex‑combatants. Yet the formal announcement confirms the shift, placing him alongside former Western Cape judge president John Hlophe, who serves as first deputy president.

The ANC has already condemned the pairing, warning that the MK Party’s “old‑guard” resurgence threatens democratic stability. Critics argue that the Zuma‑Yengeni alliance is a calculated effort to leverage their shared legal woes and grassroots networks to regain political clout.

As the MK Party prepares for parliamentary battles, the duo’s combined experience in corruption scandals and courtroom drama may prove a double‑edged sword. Supporters hail it as a reunion of “true veterans,” while opponents see it as a reminder of the ANC’s lingering corruption legacy.