Cape Town — The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party confirmed that up to 18 members of the party were replaced in the National Assembly, with many of them not meant to have been sworn in on 25 June.
In a statement, the party put to bed the claims that the party had expelled the members but instead, said the members were told they would be replaced as members of Parliament (MPs) and were advised not to avail themselves for swearing in, and if they had done so, they would be replaced at a later stage.
“It’s also important to note that leading up to the elections, the MK Party IEC list was comprised by saboteurs who went on to populate the IEC system with a list of their friends, family members and neighbours,” MK spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, said.
Ndhlela said the MK Party made a promise to its people that the MPS would be reflective of society, and the party will continue to do so. It said a case has been opened at the Sandton police station regarding the last.
uMkhonto we Sizwe party is replacing 18 of its members of the National Assembly. The bulk of them were sworn-in less than two months ago on 25 June. MK party’s spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela says many of those who were on the list were not supposed to be there in the first place.… pic.twitter.com/VIawM0Z5lk
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) August 8, 2024
The Party’s Chief Whip wrote letters to the speaker and requested that the members be replaced by other MK members. The letters were processed on Wednesday and the letters of termination were sent to the individuals by the Speaker.
However, the Chief Whip’s letters were leaked and certain members had also leaked them to social media, which the party said led to misleading reports.
“We place it on record that all internal MK Party processes were followed. All replaced members were informed of the intention to replace them as MPs representing the MK Party,” Ndhlela said.
According to The Citizen, the 18 members are set to lose their R1.27 million salaries after their removal from Parliament. National Assembly speaker, Thoko Didiza received correspondence, from the MK party informing her of replacements in the party’s parliamentary caucus.
“The speaker is currently considering these correspondences, and a decision will be made in due course,” Parliament spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo said in a statement on Thursday.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
