MK Party scraps election rally as concerns grow over Zuma’s health

South Africa – The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has  cancelled its planned manifesto launch rally ahead of the November 4 local government elections, as its leader, former president Jacob Zuma, remains in hospital.

The Siyathatha rally, scheduled for October 18, 2026, has been scrapped, with the party opting to distribute its election manifesto electronically and focus on grassroots campaigning.

The party said the decision would allow it to redirect resources towards community engagement and ward-level activities.

“The Siyathatha rally scheduled for October 18, 2026, has been cancelled to allow the party to focus its resources and efforts on community engagement and campaign activities at ward level,” the party said in a statement.

[Media Statement]
STATEMENT ON THE 2026 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS:KEY RESOLUTIONS AND THE LAUNCH OF THE MOLO MAKHELWANE CAMPAIGN. https://t.co/nnrSjg8Ps9

— uMkhonto WeSizwe Party (Official) (@MkhontoweSizwex) October 13, 2026

The manifesto will be distributed electronically to party structures and members on Thursday, October 15, while its national Molo Makhelwane campaign will continue until November 3, the eve of the elections.

The cancellation comes amid uncertainty over Zuma’s health and his ability to lead the party’s campaign. The 84-year-old has been receiving medical treatment at Netcare St Anne’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg, with conflicting accounts previously emerging about his condition.

According to The Citizen, concerns over Zuma’s health have raised questions about the party’s preparations for the crucial electoral contest.

Political analyst Wayne Sussman told eNCA that Zuma’s presence on the campaign trail could significantly influence the party’s performance.

“Umkhonto We Sizwe is on the cusp of achieving something very significant in provinces like KwaZulu-Natal,” Sussman said, warning that Zuma’s continued absence could have a “very seismic impact” on the party’s electoral prospects.

Financial difficulties

Meanwhile, TimesLIVE reported that financial difficulties may also be affecting the party’s campaign plans, with sources raising concerns about unpaid service providers and the cost of staging a major manifesto launch. The party has not explicitly linked the rally’s cancellation to its finances.

The MK Party has also acknowledged discrepancies in its final councillor candidate lists published by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). It said an urgent independent investigation would be conducted, with findings submitted to the party presidency.

The party is preparing for its first local government elections since its formation, following its strong performance in the 2024 national elections, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, where it challenged the African National Congress (ANC).

With the November 4 polls approaching, the party’s ability to maintain campaign momentum amid uncertainty over its leader’s health and internal candidate-list disputes remains a key test.