Cape Town – Ten former uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) parliamentarians have lost their high court bid to be reinstated in the National Assembly.
Judge Kate Savage dismissed their urgent interdict application, stating they failed to demonstrate a prima facie right to return as MPs until their dismissal by the party is reviewed.
“The fact that the applicants were denied access to parliamentary accommodation on 19 August 2024, were short-paid on 15 August 2024, could not travel to Cape Town or find resources for the urgent application similarly do not justify a finding that the matter is urgent,” the judgment read.
The group argued they had sacrificed their jobs to become MPs and their expulsions were illegitimate.
However, the court found they did not prove a risk of irreparable harm or lack of alternative remedies.
The applicants were among 18 MK members dismissed as parliamentarians in July.
The MK party has issued a statement expressing their approval of the outcome.
STATEMENT ON THE DISMISSED COURT APPLICATION BY THE TEN
RECALCITRANT LITIGANTS pic.twitter.com/Oecq1LiCpm— uMkhonto WeSizwe Party (Official) (@MkhontoweSizwex) September 9, 2024
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