John Hlophe, the deputy president of the MK party, recently voiced scathing criticism of the Government of National Unity (GNU), accusing it of failing to serve the interests of the people and of favouring elites. At a press conference marking the first 100 days of the GNU, Hlophe called the 10-party coalition a “deal with the devil”, saying it had stripped citizens of their power and was governing through an elitist judiciary, without reflecting the will of the people.
According to Hlophe, the ANC’s obsession with “so-called constitutionalism” had alienated the masses from decision-making processes. He said that under the MK party, South Africans would regain the power that had been stolen from them by the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the white minority. He added that the DA-led coalition, by following a neoliberal constitution, had locked South Africa into an economic system that benefited white monopoly capital at the expense of the majority.
According to Hlophe, the Constitution hampers efforts to reclaim land and mineral resources, and he claims that the DA-led coalition has exploited constitutional protections to force the ANC to neglect its fight for land expropriation. He argues that the MK party would move quickly to abolish this Constitution that currently protects the interests of elites, and restore parliamentary sovereignty so that elected representatives can best serve the interests of the people.
In a context where the land issue remains unresolved, Hlophe underlines the importance of land expropriation without compensation as a crucial step to redress historical injustices and build a more equitable society. He advocates for a return to parliamentary sovereignty to pass laws that truly reflect the will of the public and restore dignity through land reform and the empowerment of traditional leaders.
Furthermore, Hlophe has openly criticised the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for its decision not to prosecute President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Phala Phala farm scandal, highlighting questions about legality and the source of funds. He says the case highlights a systemic bias in the justice system that protects powerful figures at the expense of ordinary citizens.
In conclusion, John Hlophe and the MK Party emphasised their commitment to more inclusive, democratic and responsive governance for the South African people. Their call to reform the Constitution and ensure citizen participation in decision-making processes illustrates their commitment to promoting equality, social justice and respect for fundamental rights for all South Africans.