https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240612/south-african-mk-party-says-recent-vote-anything-but-free--fair-threatens-parliament-boycott-1067010354.html
South African MK Party Says Recent Vote 'Anything But Free & Fair', Threatens Parliament Boycott
South African MK Party Says Recent Vote 'Anything But Free & Fair', Threatens Parliament Boycott
Sputnik Africa
The move comes at a time of unprecedented political uncertainty in South Africa, with the ruling African National Congress (ANC) losing its majority but... 12.06.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-06-12T13:15+0200
2024-06-12T13:15+0200
2024-06-12T13:22+0200
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umkhonto wesizwe (mk)
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Former South African President Jacob Zuma's newly formed political party, uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), has claimed in a recent application to the country's Constitutional Court that the recent general elections were "anything but free and fair" and threatened to boycott the newly elected parliament.The party, which surprisingly came in third place in the May 29 election, winning 14.6% of the vote, has taken legal action to prevent the swearing-in of lawmakers and the election of a new president scheduled for Friday.Experts have dismissed MK's court challenge, arguing it lacks legal merit and likely serves a political agenda. Some of them see MK's move as a tactic to increase its bargaining power during coalition negotiations.Pierre de Vos, a constitutional law professor, believes the application was driven by political rather than legal motives, as it contradicts existing legislation.MK's emergence as a political force is largely attributed to Zuma's support. The party advocates for radical policies, including rewriting the constitution, land expropriation from white farmers, and nationalization of natural resources.Zuma, a former ANC leader, was forced to resign in 2018 due to corruption scandals. He was imprisoned in 2021 for refusing to cooperate with a public inquiry into corruption during his presidency.MK's name, meaning "Spear of the Nation" in Zulu, was also used by the ANC's armed wing during the apartheid era. The ANC attempted to prevent MK from using the name and branding, but their effort was unsuccessful.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240611/south-africas-opposition-da-party-reportedly-agrees-to-enter-new-govt-coalition-1067001323.html
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240610/sas-mk-party-goes-to-constitutional-court-to-halt-swearing-in-of-members-of-parliament-1066967192.html
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politics, jacob zuma, misuzulu zulu, south africa, umkhonto wesizwe (mk), african national congress (anc), southern africa, elections, parliament, court
South African MK Party Says Recent Vote 'Anything But Free & Fair', Threatens Parliament Boycott
13:15 12.06.2024 (Updated: 13:22 12.06.2024) Muhammad Nooh Osman
Writer/Editor
The move comes at a time of unprecedented political uncertainty in South Africa, with the ruling African National Congress (ANC) losing its majority but remaining the largest party. The ANC is currently negotiating with other parties, including MK, to form a coalition government.
Former South African President Jacob Zuma's newly formed political party, uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), has claimed in a recent application to the country's Constitutional Court that the recent general elections were "anything but free and fair" and threatened to boycott the newly elected parliament.
The party, which surprisingly came in third place in the May 29 election, winning 14.6% of the vote, has taken legal action to prevent the swearing-in of lawmakers and the election of a new president
scheduled for Friday.
"The 2024 elections were anything but free and fair," claimed Sihle Ngubane, MK's secretary-general, in the party's application to the Constitutional Court, despite the Independent Electoral Commission and other parties confirming the election's legitimacy.
Experts have dismissed MK's court challenge, arguing it lacks legal merit and likely serves a political agenda. Some of them see MK's move as a tactic to increase its bargaining power during coalition negotiations.
"My view is that it [MK's court application] is not going to change anything that happens between now and Friday," Lawson Naidoo, executive secretary of the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution, told the media.
Pierre de Vos, a constitutional law professor, believes the application was driven by political rather than legal motives, as it contradicts existing legislation.
MK's emergence as a political force is largely attributed to Zuma's support. The party advocates for radical policies, including rewriting the constitution, land expropriation from white farmers, and nationalization of natural resources.
Zuma, a former ANC leader, was forced to resign in 2018 due to corruption scandals. He was imprisoned in 2021 for refusing to cooperate with a public inquiry into corruption during his presidency.
MK's name, meaning "Spear of the Nation" in Zulu, was also used by the
ANC's armed wing during the apartheid era. The ANC attempted to prevent MK from using the name and branding, but their effort was unsuccessful.
