By Thapelo Molefe
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK) has accused the Patriotic Alliance of attempting to influence recruitment processes within the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, saying the alleged conduct is inappropriate and harmful to job seekers.
In a media statement issued on Tuesday, the MK Party said it “rejects” the Patriotic Alliance’s “posturing as a job recruitment agency” for the department.
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The party claims the controversy stems from a social media post by a senior Patriotic Alliance official who allegedly invited party members to submit their personal details directly to her after applying for government posts through official channels.
According to the MK Party’s national spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, the issue was initially raised by one of its MPs during a portfolio committee meeting, but no response was provided by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie.
The party further alleged that the social media post in question was later deleted following scrutiny.
“At a time when millions of South Africans are struggling to find work, any instance where political actors insert themselves into recruitment processes is not only inappropriate, it is an insult to every honest job seeker,” Ndhlela said.
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The MK Party criticised what it described as the Minister’s failure to act decisively, saying the lack of response “fails to appreciate the seriousness of the matter” and amounts to “silence and deflection”.
Ndhlela said that political involvement in hiring processes risks undermining public institutions and eroding trust in government. He added that such actions could create perceptions of political favouritism and potentially open the door to patronage.
“The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, and any other department, is not the Patriotic Alliance’s job den, reserved for its members,” he said.
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“Those listed jobs are for all job seekers across the country, regardless of political affiliation.”
The party has called on McKenzie to clarify whether any political office-bearers had access to applicants’ information, to ensure recruitment processes are protected from political interference, and to reaffirm a zero-tolerance stance on patronage in hiring.
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MK Party accuses PA of meddling in sport department hiring
