Former president Jacob Zuma's political party, the uMkhonto we Sizwe Party (MKP), is preparing to take legal action in the Electoral Court to challenge the outcome of the May 29 elections. MKP insiders have revealed to Sunday World that the party will file papers tomorrow, alleging widespread vote rigging and seeking to set aside the election results.
Other smaller political parties, including Gayton Mckenzie's Patriotic Alliance, are expected to support the court challenge as friends of the court, citing discrepancies in the Western Cape election results.
The MKP argues that they were defrauded of over 500,000 votes, specifically in Kwazulu-Natal, where the party lost the premier position race to the IFP despite receiving the highest number of votes during the elections. In a bid to rally their supporters, former president Zuma will address the media today in Johannesburg, where he will discuss the court challenge and appeal for calm among party members.
Insiders from the MKP suggest that the impending court challenge, coupled with the potential backlash against President Cyril Ramaphosa within the ANC regarding the party's working relationship with the DA, could significantly shift the political landscape in favor of Zuma's fightback. Additionally, the MKP is reportedly strategizing to weaken the ANC in the ethekwini metro and other municipalities.
The ANC currently controls the sole metro in Kwazulu-Natal, primarily with the support of the EFF and other smaller parties. However, the Red Berets' commander, Julius Malema, announced that his party would be terminating its agreement with the ANC.
Zethembe Mlaba, one of the MKP leaders involved in secret talks, revealed that discussions have taken place with approximately 40 ANC councillors in ethekwini who are considering joining the MKP. It is also expected that other senior ANC members in the ethekwini region will align themselves with the councillors.
"Do not let the events in the legislature deceive you; we have a plan. For now, I can tell you that we have held talks with at least 40 ANC councillors in ethekwini who will soon announce that they are joining MK," Mlaba divulged in an interview with Sunday World.
Frustrated councillors have reportedly met with Kwazulu-Natal secretary-general Bheki Mtolo, urging the party to withdraw from the new alliance and threatening to resign in protest. In response, Mtolo acknowledged the situation, stating, "We heard something of that sort. There's nothing we can do about it. Also, do remember that the ANC is on a renewal project, and some rogue elements who used the party to enrich themselves are feeling the heat."
The MKP's plan involves forcing by-elections in crucial provincial municipalities, including ethekwini, Msunduzi in Pietermaritzburg, and Kwadukuza on the north coast. Sources have revealed that key ANC alliance partners, including Cosatu, SACP, and Sanco, are supportive of the MKP's actions. However, Sizwe Cele, Sanco's provincial secretary, declined to confirm the civic movement's official stance. Edwin Mkhize, the provincial secretary for Cosatu, expressed disappointment at being excluded from the coalition negotiations, emphasizing the need for ANC reform. Meanwhile, the SACP stated that it would consult its members to determine its next steps, with provincial secretary Themba Mthembu warning that "the worst is yet to happen."
