A group representing funeral businesses has objected to plans by the uMkhonto weSizwe Party to establish its own funeral operation, which would operate in direct competition to them.

According to Muzi Hlengwa, spokesperson for the Unification Task Team of the Funeral Industry of SA, this was viewed with anger because some of its members had provided MKP with support during last year’s elections. The MKP was “moving into their space”.

“I’m very, very upset,” he said in a media interview, “The majority of black undertakers in KwaZulu-Natal say 70 to 80% of them, are all uMkhonto weSizwe Party [members]. I’ve seen them buy T-shirts for the party, give members food, [and financial backing] before the elections. What about them? Now, just after the elections, the MK Party wants to compete with them. To me, it’s sheer greed.” 

The proposed venture uMkhonto weSizwe Funerals, was due to be launched at the party’s 16 December celebrations, although it is not clear whether this had formally taken place.

Hlengwa and his organisation had successfully campaigned against the involvement of large insurance companies in the funeral industry in the Durban area. It has also in the past opposed plans by the ANC to launch such a business.

Hlengwa said that there had been engagements with MKP to cancel its plan, but had not received such a commitment. 

Hlengwa said that he enjoyed a warm relationship with Zuma, which the current impasse would not affect. He supported the MKP because he saw it as representing the interests of black businesses.

He also warned that this business venture could provoke political violence in KwaZulu-Natal.


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