https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240316/sa-presidency-calls-on-citizens-not-to-give-in-to-destabilizing-may-elections-amid-mk-party-threats-1065584001.html
SA Presidency Calls on Citizens Not to Give in to Destabilizing May Elections Amid MK Party Threats
SA Presidency Calls on Citizens Not to Give in to Destabilizing May Elections Amid MK Party Threats
Sputnik Africa
Earlier, supporters of the Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party warned that protests and disruption of the vote would follow if its candidates are not allowed to run... 16.03.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-03-16T12:52+0100
2024-03-16T12:52+0100
2024-03-16T13:12+0100
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South Africa's presidency is urging citizens not to give in to attempts to destabilize the 2024 national elections scheduled for May, presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya told reporters, as the MK party threatened unrest if it fails to qualify for the polls.The spokesperson said that those who threaten the stability of the elections will face legal consequences, stressing that voting in South Africa must be conducted in a manner that respects the rights of every citizen.The presidency added that law enforcement agencies have been working diligently to secure the May elections and are preparing "for all possible scenarios."Earlier, MK official Visvin Reddy warned that failure to allow the party's candidates to contest the election would end in "civil war." However, he later said that his words had been taken out of context and that the video of his remarks had been edited.Umkhonto we Sizwe was the paramilitary wing of the ANC, founded by Nelson Mandela in 1961 to fight against the apartheid regime in South Africa.In addition, Magwenya described the opposition Democratic Alliance's (DA) request to the US, Canada, and several European countries to step up election observation as a "clumsy PR stunt."Previously, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa voiced apprehension regarding possible foreign meddling in the forthcoming general elections in the country. This concern arises from Pretoria's legal proceedings against Israel at the United Nations International Court of Justice.South Africa's general elections are to be held on May 29, when citizens will vote for a new National Assembly and provincial legislatures. Last week, the country's Independent Electoral Commission announced that a total of 115 South African political parties have applied to participate in the elections.
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SA Presidency Calls on Citizens Not to Give in to Destabilizing May Elections Amid MK Party Threats
12:52 16.03.2024 (Updated: 13:12 16.03.2024) Earlier, supporters of the Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party warned that protests and disruption of the vote would follow if its candidates are not allowed to run. The party is embroiled in a legal dispute with the ruling African National Congress over its name, which the ruling party regards as integral to its historical heritage.
South Africa's presidency is urging citizens not to give in to attempts to destabilize the 2024 national elections scheduled for May, presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya told reporters, as the MK party threatened unrest if it fails to qualify for the polls.
The spokesperson said that those who threaten the stability of the elections will face legal consequences, stressing that voting in South Africa must be conducted in a manner that respects the rights of every citizen.
"The elections are an important milestone in any democratic calendar and they should be observed in accordance to the established rules. They should be observed in a manner that respects everyone’s rights to participate so as the President has said anyone who seeks to threaten the stability of these elections will be dealt with by law enforcement agencies, who are attending to detailed plans to ensure that we have safe elections," Magwenya noted.
The presidency added that law enforcement agencies have been working diligently to secure
the May elections and are preparing "for all possible scenarios."
Earlier, MK official Visvin Reddy warned that failure to allow the party's candidates to contest the election would end in "civil war." However, he later said that his words had been taken out of context and that the video of his remarks had been edited.
Umkhonto we Sizwe was the paramilitary wing of the ANC, founded by Nelson Mandela in 1961 to
fight against the apartheid regime in South Africa.
In addition, Magwenya described the opposition Democratic Alliance's (DA) request to the US, Canada, and several European countries to step up election observation as a "clumsy PR stunt."
"We have a wonderful history of holding free and fair elections, and in some cases better than some of the countries the DA has approached," he pointed out.
Previously, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa voiced apprehension regarding possible foreign meddling in the forthcoming general elections in the country. This concern arises from Pretoria's legal proceedings against Israel at the United Nations International Court of Justice.
South Africa's general elections are to be held on May 29, when citizens will vote for a new National Assembly and provincial legislatures. Last week, the country's Independent Electoral Commission announced that a total of 115 South African political parties
have applied to participate in the elections.
