Tsonga disco King and former prominent senior ANC member, Papa Penny (62), announced earlier this week that he had ditched the ruling party for the newly formed MK Party. After the news came out, ANC senior leaders like Paul Mashatile and secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, tried to persuade Papa Penny not to join Zuma but their efforts were in vain.
HE VISITED ZUMA AT HIS HOME
Papa Penny, real name Eric Nkovani, visited Zuma at his homestead in Nkandla, northern KwaZulu-Natal early this year, where he told Zuma about the intentions of making MKP one of the biggest organisations to put the ANC under pressure as a governing party. He wants the ANC to crumble in the upcoming elections.
BLUE TICKING ANC TOP BRASS
Papa Penny will be headlining the MK Party's manifesto launch at the Orlando Stadium, Soweto, this Saturday. Sources said Papa Penny made a promise to Zuma that he will convince most of his supporters in his home province of Limpopo and others around the country to vote for MKP. The news of Papa Penny's departure from the ANC was revealed through WhatsApp messages exchanged between himself and Mashatile. In these messages, Papa Penny informed Mashatile of his decision to leave the ANC, to which Mashatile pleaded for him not to leave the ANC. Papa Penny complained about not being treated well.
"I'm leaving ANC coming Monday due to the treatment," he wrote. Mashatile replied to Papa Penny and said, "No need to leave. I am sure we can resolve the problem. Will arrange to see you when back home!" In Whatsapp messages widely shared on social media, Mbalula tried to justify not taking Papa Penny's calls when he wrote: "U can't go play for Zuma." to which Papa Penny replied: "I send you massage (sic) this morning you never come back to me." A frustrated Mbalula replied: "Am busy Papa Penny. You can't go perfom (sic) for Zuma." Papa Penny ignored two of Mbalula's calls soon after the messages. Mbalula immediately wrote to Papa Penny, "Don't destroy yourself with one Zuma gig. You are an ANC member." When called for a comment, Papa Penny said, "They can't stop me, even if they try it won't happen.' Both Mbalula and Mashatile could not be reached for comment.
