Background: The 54th ANC Conference took a resolution that exMK Combatants must be unified through a unity themed conference. This resolution was in recognition of how the multitudes of these excombatants were neglected by their leaders who were entangled more in factional battles of the ANC as they positioned themselves for power and access to State resources. That some ANC leaders encouraged this is as they campaign for leadership positions in the ANC is extremely disappointing. To this end, the Peace and Stability was tasked to facilitate the process, however factionalism and deeper disunity among exMK combatants ensured the process came to naught.

In June 2021, the ANC NEC appointed a Preparatory Committee led by senior exMK members who were thought to be immuned from toxic history of strife in exMK community and the appointed leader became General Zimpande Msimang. Signs of progress in the form of 4 steps forward and 3 steps back led to the agreement on a date of the conference. Sadly, Prepcom itself is also showing same problems of factionalism.

The conference process: All provinces held nomination process for delegates and the process of doing so was as controversial as ever, with clear allegations of list manipulation and less transparent delegate verification process. In Gauteng, the biggest province in number of exMK combatants in the DMV database (not in membership as neither MKMVA nor MKNC had any verifiable signed up members but potential beneficiaries), those who nominated delegates were never verified as exMK members at all and therefore bringing a legal cloud and legitimacy over the entire process.

Therefore, we, the undersigned exCombatants of uMkhonto WesiZwe, hereby demand the ANC leadership, the Secretary General’s Office, the Top 6 of the ANC, to intervene and assist the Peace and Stability and the appointed Prepcom safeguard the legitimacy of the oncoming conference by:

1. Castigating/disciplining any individual or group that make pronouncements on behalf of exMK outside the Prepcom and the ANC as ill-discipline and consequences must follow, starting with immediate suspension from any ANC related activity, more so from participating in the conference.

2. Punishing any divisive acts, evidence of fraud or corruption in any aspect or stage of the conference preparation must result in immediate expulsion as the consequences are dire for the poorest among us if unity is not achieved.

3. Make the conference a Consultative Conference, where only rebuilding and policy discussions will be entertained.

4. Allow for maximum of participants in discussions by having a Hybrid System where those not able to attend will dial in virtually wherever they are.

5. Integrity and track record of objective performance and no history of divisive behaviour should be the key criteria for appointing an interim leadership and future elections.

6. Allow election of leaders only when a process of ensuring that all exMK members who have joined the new MK Vet Organisation can exercise their democratic right of electing their leadership on a One Verified exMK member One Vote basis.