Cape Town — The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has written a letter to the National Assembly asking expelled party leader., Jabulani Khumalo, not to be sworn into Parliament on Friday.
Khumalo said he would defy his expulsion and announced his intention to attend Parliament after it was revealed that Khumalo was still at the top of the party’s candidate list. He encouraged the 57 other members to attend the sitting, despite Parliament cancelling flights and accommodation.
“I, Jabulani Khumalo, am making this public statement in my capacity as the leader of uMkhonto weSizwe. Our members of parliament will be present for their swearing in on the designated date.” he said.
The purported MK communication to the effect that parliament is not constituted based on the absence of 58 MK members of parliament is misguided in law and frankly embarrassing.” he added.
JUST IN: Jabulani Khumalo who says in his capacity as leader of #MKParty says the party’s members of parliament will be present for their swearing in on Friday. Khumalo says Jacob Zuma ‘will not continue to abuse democratic processes’ #eNCA pic.twitter.com/l0Ixn3YGnA
— Heidi Giokos (@HeidiGiokos) June 10, 2024
In response to Khumalo’s comments, the party said that Khumalo had been expelled from the party and therefore he was not eligible to sit for a seat in Parliament. MK Party spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, has denied this, saying Khumalo did not have the authority to speak on the organisation’s decisions, EWN reported.
“He cannot be going to Parliament off the back of the MK ticket. We communicated with the secretary of Parliament and the secretary of Parliament communicated with him that he cannot represent us.” Ndhlela said.
According to SABC News, the MK Party told Parliament secretary, Xolile George, and Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, to to refrain from convening the first sitting of parliament. MK said any failure to comply with the he letter of demand would result in court action.
The MK Party has had a number of grievances since the results were declared by the IEC with the party contending that they need to be resolved prior to the first sitting of parliament.
The MK Party has announced it will ask the Constitutional Court for an urgent interdict to prevent Parliament from proceeding with the swearing-in of new MPs and the election of a president. The party has raised concerns over the May elections, citing alleged rigging. Prof. Cathy… pic.twitter.com/E4sPtgTKd8
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) June 11, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
