A close-up of Jacob Zuma’s face with a MK Party banner behind it. MKP leader Jacob Zuma says the Electoral Court would find in the party’s favour in its case against the Electoral Commission of South Africa. Picture: Timothy Bernard Independent Newspapers.
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) says it is confident the party can win its case against the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) after obtaining new information.
The Jacob Zuma-led party also said its plans to oust the KwaZulu-Natal coalition government are at an advanced stage as it is involved with discussions with “friendlies” in the left-aligned ANC in the province.
Zuma, speaking to party supporters in Vosloorus, east of Johannesburg, at the weekend as part of the party’s 1st anniversary celebrations, claimed the May 29 elections were rigged and he accused IEC officials of stealing MKP votes and “donating” them to other parties.
“The people in charge of counting votes took our votes and gave them to other parties. They deprived us of a two-thirds majority. We wanted to lead the country. If we took over there would be no poverty. We have a lot of credible information. We have all the information as to what happened and who stole our votes. We have started again with the court case,” Zuma said.
He claimed that the Electoral Court would find in the MKP’s favour.
The MKP received more than 2 million votes but Zuma believes the party surpassed the two-thirds majority vote.
“We cannot be robbed from leading our country. The court must talk and reveal the truth. It must show we won. Once that is done, we must take over the country. Once we win the case we are taking over.”
The IEC wants the Electoral Court to order that Zuma’s MKP cannot launch a new election rigging case without convincing the court it has the evidence to back up these claims.
MKP national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said the party had uncovered new evidence that proved the election had been rigged, but said this evidence would only be disclosed when the matter returned to court.
He said the party had retrospective concerns about the May 29 elections but also wanted the IEC to “acknowledge gaps in its system” ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
“We want electoral reforms that see the gaps being filled and based on these learnings, to circumvent any activities that lead to the rigging of votes.
The MKP also said it is “in ongoing discussions” with “friendlies” in both the ANC and EFF in KwaZulu-Natal as it looks to take over the governance of the province by bringing a motion of no-confidence against the premier, Thami Ntuli, and his
executive.
The MK Party won the most seats in the province after the May 29 elections (37), but the IFP (15), the ANC (14), the DA (11) and the NFP (1), established a Government of Provincial Unity (GPU).
He said the party feels that the GPU “has no right to be in government in the first place”.
Ndhlela said “there are elements within the GPU that want to pull out and work with us”.
Political analyst Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast said Zuma is convinced that they won the national election with an outright majority.
“It appears that the MKP is not relying on the IEC in uncovering this evidence but I do not understand why they withdrew their application.
“It sounds contradictory and the key to all of this is what is the basis of MKP’s argument.”
On the motion of no-confidence against the KZN government, Breakfast said some in the ANC support a coalition with the MKP and may push for the two to run the government.
“The MKP after the election was focused on the electoral rigging claims and appears to be regretting their slow pace in responding to coalition discussions.”
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