Cape Town – The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has defended former president Jacob Zuma’s visit to India and his meeting with members of the Gupta family, insisting that the trip was a private engagement and had no connection to the party.
The response follows Zuma’s visit to the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand in late June, where he was photographed at the Siddhpeeth Shri Dakshin Kali Mandir in Haridwar alongside Ajay Gupta, one of the Gupta brothers linked to allegations of state capture in South Africa.
Zuma visits Ajay Gupta in India, accompanied by top SA diplomathttps://t.co/LZGrgpRW7R
— News24 🇿🇦 (@News24) June 30, 2026
Speaking during an interview with Newzroom Afrika, MK Party secretary-general Sibonelo Nomvalo said Zuma’s visit was undertaken in his personal capacity and that the party should not be expected to account for his private activities.
[WATCH] “The trip to India was a personal visit by the president. The fact that he’s the former head of state does not preclude him from visiting any area in the world. Everyone has a freedom to privacy,” says MKP’s Sibonelo Nomvalo. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/oTFbxnLe4T
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) July 13, 2026
“We said the trip to India was a personal visit by the president. The fact that he’s the former head of state does not preclude him from visiting any area in the world, so he went there to visit, and it was a private visit,” Nomvalo said.
He added that Zuma’s status as a former president did not prevent him from travelling internationally or meeting people of his choosing.
Nomvalo also said individuals were entitled to privacy, arguing that the party could not be held responsible for Zuma’s personal engagements.
“Everyone has a freedom to privacy. Next time you will ask us what people do when they are in a restroom and we must be accountable for that,” he said.
President Jacob Zuma was pleased to reunite with Ajay Gupta in India, describing him as a brother & friend. Zuma said some people in South Africa never approved of their friendship. Gupta introduced Zuma to a Man of God & hopes the encounter will help him win the next election. pic.twitter.com/VsrlEwR7D9
— Man’s NOT Barry Roux (@AdvoBarryRoux) July 1, 2026
Reiterating the party’s position, Nomvalo said Zuma’s visit was unrelated to the MK Party and was undertaken to meet leaders of a religious society in India.
“A trip to India is a trip of President Zuma. He went there to attend or to visit some leaders of a religious society in India. So we’ve got nothing to do with that as the party,” he said.
According to The Citizen, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola has said Zuma’s visit risks undermining South Africa’s official diplomatic processes.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
