It seems the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party's left-hand doesn't know what its right hand is doing.

That much was evident when one party spokesperson told News24 that convicted fraudster Schabir Shaik was a member of the party, and another shot down claims of Shaik's affiliation with it.

Shaik's appearance alongside former president Jacob Zuma at a fundraising event for Gaza on Saturday sparked speculation that he supports the party Zuma is aiming to lead.

But, asked on Tuesday whether Shaik had joined the MK Party, spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndlela said, "No [Schabir] Shaik did not join MK Party, and neither was the event about the MK Party. The event was about reflecting on the atrocities that are taking place in Palestine."

However, in response to the same question, another party spokesperson, Sidwell Masilela, said, "He is. He had MK banners in the event and recruit[ed] more of the Indian community."

Shaik, who was found to have a corrupt relationship with Zuma, was jailed but was later released on medical parole. 

The confusion over his relationship with the MK Party comes after Black First Land First leader Andile Mngxitama and National People's Ambassadors (NPA) leader Nathi Mthethwa said they had joined the MK Party.

On Tuesday evening, Mngxitama posted a picture of himself and Zuma on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, with the caption: "It's done! BLF vote #MK full statement to follow."

The statement wasn't released.

But Mngxitama told News24: "BLF is not ceasing to exist. What we agreed upon with president Zuma is an electoral pact where BLF votes for MK. Naturally, BLF shall join MK. It's a dual membership process."

Meanwhile, Mthethwa told News24: "Yes, I have joined to campaign with MK, since the NPA (a small party based in KwaZulu-Natal) is not going to take part in the national elections."

Asked about Mngxitama and Mthethwa, Masilela said: "Andile and Nathi... nothing confirmed yet."

Ndlela said: "[Former] president Jacob Zuma has been, and continues, to engage in discussions with progressive parties with the aim of forming a united front. There are no other political party leaders that have joined MK Party."

He said the party would announce the consolidated membership at its launch next month.

While Zuma continues to criss-cross the country to campaign for the MK Party, the ANC has chosen to not give any attention to the actions of its former president. 

On Saturday at Mbombela Stadium, where the ANC held its 112th anniversary celebration, party chairperson Gwede Mantashe told News24 the ANC was not preoccupied with what other people were doing and was focused on its own programmes.

However, giving a message of support at the celebrations, SACP general-secretary Solly Mapaila asked the party to deal with the Zuma matter and not "dilly-dally" around it. 

When greeting those in attendance, including the uMkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans, party president Cyril Ramaphosa appeared to take a dig at the MK Party when he said: "This is the real MK."

On Saturday, Zuma will lead the MK Party's campaign in Limpopo.