Johnathan Paoli
THE Electoral Commission (IEC) has come out and clarified that former President Jacob Zuma is both the face and the leader of the new Umkhonto weSizwe party (MKP), as of last month.
The EIC’s response followed a much circulated letter by MK’s former founder Jabulani Khumalo, in which he requested the removal of Zuma from the candidate list, for allegedly attaining the position of party president by fraudulent means.
However, in response to Khumalo’s request, the IEC indicated it would not be drawn into the matter while reiterating its stance of political neutrality and said that it did not involve itself in the internal affairs of political parties.
“The Commission only acts on instruction of the registered leader of the party. In the present case, Mr Jacob Zuma is the registered leader of MK Party. This has been so since 10 April 2024,” the commission said.
Khumalo claimed that while he agreed to Zuma being the face of the party, he had never agreed that Zuma was president of MK as it was always understood that Zuma was not a member of MK and would remain an ANC member inspite of his publicised support for the MK.
He alleged that Zuma had him removed from his position outside party structures and that the correct procedure was not followed.
“Mr Zuma’s conduct has brought the MKP into disrepute and he has acted contrary to the terms of the constitution of the party. He has purported to remove me as a party leader without following any procedures,” Khumalo said.
INSIDE POLITICS
