- Jacob Zuma and the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party suffered a legal setback after losing an appeal against the SABC's use of the term 'Government of National Unity.'
- The court ruled it was a constitutional matter and dismissed the case with costs, leaving Zuma footing the legal bill once again.
- South Africans couldn't help but joke about Zuma's string of courtroom losses and questioned whether his lawyers were just lining their pockets.
GAUTENG – Jacob Zuma has added another loss to his growing list of courtroom defeats, and South Africans can’t seem to stop laughing. This time, the former president and leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party took on the SABC over its use of the term 'Government of National Unity' (GNU) to describe the current administration. Spoiler alert: it didn’t end well for Zuma.
On Friday, January 31, 2025, the Johannesburg High Court dismissed the MK Party’s application with costs. The court ruled that the matter was a constitutional issue and not something that fell under its jurisdiction. This latest defeat has only fueled the fire of public ridicule, with many social media users poking fun at Zuma’s repeated courtroom failures.
Why Did the MK Party Take on the SABC?
The MK Party, represented by Advocate Dali Mpofu, argued that the SABC, as the state broadcaster, should maintain impartiality in its reporting. According to Mpofu, the term 'Government of National Unity' was misleading and inaccurate. Instead, he suggested that the SABC should refer to the government as the 'ANC-DA coalition.'
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However, the SABC stood firm, arguing that their use of the term 'GNU' did not violate any editorial codes. Judge Denise Fisher agreed, stating that the issue was a constitutional matter and not something the court could address. Her ruling sent a clear message: the courts aren’t the place to settle political disagreements.
South Africans Take to Social Media to Troll the MK Party
As news of the court’s decision spread, social media users wasted no time in sharing their thoughts. Many couldn’t resist poking fun at Zuma’s string of courtroom losses, while others took aim at his legal team, questioning their competence and motives.
Letlhogonolo Mose expressed frustration over the wasted resources, saying:
“Money lost on a useless court case.”
Mohumelelo Ngubeni chimed in, criticizing Advocate Mpofu:
“Dali Mpofu doesn't know what he's doing.”
Makhohly Condwer suggested that Mpofu might be taking advantage of Zuma:
“Sometimes Mr Mpofu is misleading the old man just to get money.”
Tshepo Mofokeng raised doubts about Mpofu’s qualifications:
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“Dali's qualifications must be screened, something off about him.”
Hlase Q Base summed up the general sentiment:
“That’s MK for you. Busy with courts left, right, and centre.”
Sharon Connell Keune wasn’t surprised by the outcome:
“Not surprised he lost. This was a petty issue.”
Sello Moorosi vented his frustration with the Zuma camp:
“I'm really getting tired of this old man and his advisers. It's embarrassing for the so-called educated people like Dali Mpofu to keep misleading this old man.”
Sothandokuhle Mbaleki Gwele highlighted the financial incentive for lawyers:
“Lawyers took this case on for MK because they knew, win or lose, they were getting paid no matter what.”
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla Released on Warning
Advocate Mpofu's Busy Week in Court
Advocate Dali Mpofu has been keeping busy in recent days, representing members of the Zuma family in court. Just days before the MK Party’s loss against the SABC, Mpofu was in court representing Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the former president’s daughter. She was charged with incitement to commit terrorism and incitement to commit public violence but was ultimately released on a warning.
While the Zuma family may have avoided jail time in this instance, their legal battles continue to dominate headlines, sparking both outrage and amusement among South Africans. With each new courtroom appearance, it seems the Zuma name remains firmly in the public eye – for better or worse.
