Former president and uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) leader Jacob Zuma has taken a swipe at President Cyril Ramaphosa while campaigning in Mthatha, Eastern Cape.
Zuma accused the country’s leadership of failing to deliver for ordinary South Africans. He made the remarks while addressing people during the MK Party’s week-long visit to traditional kingdoms in the OR Tambo district.
[Jacob Zuma Begins Week-Long Visit To Eastern Cape Traditional Kingdoms]
Zuma said the country should not be governed by a single individual without scrutiny over their ability or conduct. “This thing of having one person governing the country will end. You don’t even know if this person is smart or if they’re a crook.” He then directed his criticism at the current president.
“We currently have a crook running the country… I forget his name. When he gets money, he hides it under his bed. We’re suffering, we have orphans and this crook does not care. Who can say what this criminal has done for us? There isn’t a single thing,” Zuma said.
“This thing of having one person governing the country will end. You don’t even know if this person is smart or if they’re a crook.
We currently have a crook running the country… I forget his name. When he gets money, he hides it under the bed. We’re suffering, we have orphans… pic.twitter.com/x8kDXuOdMH— News Live SA (@newslivesa) August 16, 2026
Jacob Zuma Criticises Cyril Ramaphosa In Mthatha
Zuma was in Mthatha as part of a week-long courtesy visit to traditional kingdoms across the OR Tambo district. The MK Party said the visit is intended to strengthen and consolidate relations between the party and traditional councils in the province. National, provincial and regional MK Party leaders are accompanying Zuma during the tour.
His first stop was a church in the Zimbane Valley, where he spoke to congregants about challenges facing black communities. Zuma said poverty, unemployment and crime remained among the issues affecting communities. He also discussed free basic education and the challenges faced by young people seeking employment.
MK Party Leader Jacob Zuma Highlights Youth Unemployment
Zuma said addressing poverty among black South Africans is a central principle of the MK Party. He said the party wants poor and impoverished communities to receive support. Youth unemployment was among the issues he highlighted during his address.
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“Today we have so many graduates who cannot find jobs. There are those who do not want our children to be employed. They want us to remain poor. With us, there will be no black people who will suffer with poverty just because they are black. No church will suffer while assisting our people just because it is led by a black person.”
Jacob Zuma Continues MK Party Eastern Cape Visit
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The MK Party leader’s Eastern Cape programme includes engagements with traditional councils and communities in the OR Tambo district. The party leadership is travelling with him during the visit. The programme began in the Mthatha area.
Zuma used his campaign engagements to outline the MK Party’s position on issues including unemployment, education, poverty and crime. His comments about Ramaphosa came as he addressed supporters and community members during the Eastern Cape tour. The visit is expected to continue over the coming days.
