Elections 2024: MK Party accused of signature fraud
The MK party has come under fire for allegedly obtaining information of jobseekers and members of a funeral association to forge signatures.
A former member alleged that certain signatures submitted to the Electoral Commission for registration had been forged.
MK PARTY ACCUSED OF SIGNATURE FRAUD
The Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party faced a tumultuous week as former president Jacob Zuma ousted several top leaders, coinciding with allegations of extensive signature forgery to meet election qualifications.
Last week, a former senior party official made a statement to the Western Cape police, alleging forgery concerning the signatures submitted.
Reported by The Citizen, according to Lennox Ntsodo’s affidavit, he acknowledges appointing a team of approximately 20 individuals in February to aid in the widespread forgery of signatures.
This action was taken following the rejection of the MK party’s initial registration application by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
The team reportedly obtained jobseekers’ names, identity numbers, and cellphone numbers from the Cape Metro Council’s database, along with the personal information of members from a funeral association.
These details were allegedly acquired fraudulently to forge signatures.
Ntsodo provided evidence to the police, which included signed supporter lists submitted to the IEC and information obtained from the jobseeker database.
While Lennox Ntsodo didn’t specify the source of the jobseeker data in his affidavit, Rapport claims it belongs to the Cape Metro Council.
The publication contacted 15 individuals listed as supporters, with 14 denying any involvement or signing of an MK party list.
In his affidavit, Ntsodo invoked section 204 of the Criminal Procedure Act, seeking immunity in exchange for full disclosure and testimony about his involvement.
He also urged immediate placement of himself and his family into witness protection, citing fears of retaliation.
JABULANI KHUMALO EXPELLED FROM MK PARTY LEADERSHIP
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party), founded by former president Jacob Zuma, expelled its founder, Jabulani Khumalo, and four other members.
According to The Witness, while no reasons were given for the expulsions, party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndlela stated that the decision was made in the organisation’s best interest.
“We want to categorically state that the National Leadership Core will always act and make decisions in the interest of all patriotic South Africans that want to see change,” he said.
“We urge all MK members to be disciplined and trust the leadership as we work towards gaining support for a campaign that will emancipate the downtrodden people of our country,” he added.
Since its establishment last year, Jabulani Khumalo has been seen as the leader of the MK Party.
However, doubts about his leadership arose when the IEC revealed that Jacob Zuma would be the party’s face on the ballot, despite Zuma initially claiming he would only support the party.
According to MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndlela, Zuma, not Khumalo, is the party’s founder. Ndlela clarified that Khumalo registered the MK Party at Zuma’s request.
According to Daily Maverick, while the Electoral Court has provided its rationale for permitting Zuma to stand as a candidate for the MK Party, the Constitutional Court seems inclined to review the IEC’s plea to clarify Zuma’s eligibility as a parliamentary candidate.
This implies that Zuma’s eligibility for Parliament remains to be determined.
Without a clear leadership structure, the MK Party’s effectiveness in Parliament and the KZN provincial legislature may be questioned by voters.
With 30 days until voting day, potential shifts in party fortunes are possible, with the ANC’s support likely to rise, the DA’s possibly stabilizing, and smaller parties facing challenges.