ANC tactics spark concern about MK Party violence

Several failed attempts by the ANC to have the uMkhonto we Sizwe Party (MKP) deregistered by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is a tactic to raise concerns about potential electoral violence and discredit the IEC and the upcoming elections.

Political analyst Professor Amanda Gouws told Radio Islam International that the ANC’s failure to institute court proceedings within the prescribed three days of the IEC’s decision to approve the MK party’s registration late last year, underscores internal disorganisation within the party. Listen to the interview below.

‘NO CASE MADE WHY MK PARTY MUST BE REGISTERED’

On Tuesday, the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg dismissed the case, saying the governing party has yet to explain why the Jacob Zuma-led MK Party must be deregistered.

“The ANC is now using this issue around MK to make the case that there will be electoral violence, and that, of course, leads to a situation where the IEC gets discredited, and that is not good for the election because if you start to discredit the institution that needs to run the election, then any result of an election can be contested after the fact,” says Professor Gouws.

She said the ANC’s attempt to discredit the MK party’s legitimacy through legal means is a tactic to raise concerns about potential electoral violence and discredit the IEC, which could undermine the integrity of the upcoming elections.

Gouws said internal divisions within the ANC, coupled with allegations of corruption against figures like the parliamentary speaker, further exacerbated the challenges faced by the party in the run-up to the elections.

‘ANC IS VERY WORRIED TIME IS RUNNING OUT,’ SAYS GOUWS

“I think the ANC is very worried, and they keep having all kinds of problems. We now have a problem with the speaker, who is actually accused of corruption. And so, but there’s not enough time now to the election to launch another type of court challenge,” said Gouws.

She said while the MK Party’s influence may be more pronounced in KwaZulu-Natal, its impact in other provinces remains a subject of debate.

However, Gouws said questions remained about the MK party’s long-term viability and its ability to mobilise support among younger voters.