THE Umkhonto we Sizwe Veterans Association in Mpumalanga has dismissed public utterances by Ehlanzeni regional secretary that service delivery protests in the province were sponsored by senior leaders of the ANC.

THE Umkhonto we Sizwe Veterans Association in Mpumalanga has dismissed public utterances by Ehlanzeni regional secretary that service delivery protests in the province were sponsored by senior leaders of the ANC.

George Maile allegedly claimed that though some of the protests were genuine, the MKMVA believed a third force was involved. He said this left the MKMVA with no option but to "try by all means at our disposal to defend the ANC".

"We have been informed by ANC members in Luthuli House that a senior party leader is plotting to oust Premier David Mabuza so that he can control the province when it comes to choosing President Jacob Zuma's successor." Maile allegedly said.

Ironically, Mabuza told Sowetan that he did not believe the protests were the work of a "third force".

MKMVA provincial secretary Nkosinathi Nkosi claimed Maile's statements "did not represent the organisation in the province or at any other level".