MK Party can find new name and logo, ANC tells court
The ANC has asked the Durban High Court in KwaZuluNatal to compel the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party to stop using its name and logo.
The court heard arguments from both parties on the copyright infringement case brought by the ruling party against MK.
The ANC alleges that the newly established MK party stole its name and logo.
This comes just a day after the Electoral Court dismissed its application for the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to de-register the MK party ahead of the May polls.
ANC legal counsel Adv. Tshidiso Ramogale said the ANC fully respects the Electoral Court's decision, however, the MK party should desist from using the name and logo of its paramilitary wing formed during apartheid.
"If the court were to be with us that there is in fact a violation of a trademark, the remedy for MK is not that they would be stopped from being able to contest the elections, they'd have to change their name. Because we say that is a violation of a trademark which the Electoral court does not have jurisdiction to deal with" he said.
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) however hit back and told the court that the ANC is simply abusing court processes to prevent the inevitable.
The Party's legal representative, Advocate Dali Mpofu argued that the position of the spear in MK Party logo, when compared to the ANC's, is enough to show they are not the same.
He believes the case was unnecessary.
"The ulterior purpose was to circumvent the political rights of the MK Party in the upcoming elections, that is patently clear, no one has suggested otherwise" said Mpofu.
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