Duduzile Zuma now an MK Party MP; John Hlophe warns, ‘We will not be bullied’

FORMER president Jacob Zuma’s daughter Duduzile Zuma is now a new Member of Parliament (MP) after she was sworn in on Tuesday with other uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party members.

Zuma was sworn in alongside impeached former Western Cape judge president John Hlophe, Andile Mngxitama, and Des Van Rooyen, among others.

The party bagged 58 seats in the National Assembly, overtaking the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to become South Africa’s third-largest party after the May 29 general elections.

“We are now the official opposition,” said Hlophe, who was sworn in on Tuesday, becoming the MK Party’s chief whip.

Party members were due to be sworn in last week but they boycotted the National Assembly sitting in protest over vote rigging allegations.

Duduzile Zuma has always given her father unwavering public support from the time he was president and facing backlash in his alleged corruption dealings and court woes.

She continued to stand by him when he announced that he would be campaigning for the MK after leaving the African National Congress (ANC).

In a move that not many predicted, the MK Party announced that Hlophe would also be sworn in after he was appointed as the party’s chief whip.

Hlophe, 65, was was impeached as judge president of the high court for gross misconduct.

Addressing the media as a Member of Parliament, Hlophe said they have been elected to work and they will make sure they stay above petty politics.

“We have been elected by the people of this country; we are here to work, we consider that as our role. We are going to engage in a robust debate but in a respectful manner. But make no mistake, we are not going to allow ourselves to be bullied by anyone. We are adults and we know why we are here,’’ he said.