By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The uMkhonto we Sizwe party (MK Party) has launched another bid to set aside the outcome of the 2024 National and Provincial Elections, just eight months after it withdrew its earlier application in the Electoral Court.
The party charges that there is “incontrovertible evidence that the 2024 National and Provincial Elections were neither free nor fair”
It emerged as the third-largest party in Parliament with 58 seats out of the 400-seat National Assembly.
The MK party claimed that the IEC failed to uphold its mandate to conduct free and fair elections, resulting in the disenfranchisement of voters and manipulation of election outcomes.
“We believe that the elections were marred by significant irregularities that undermined the democratic will of the people. Our members witnessed firsthand the manipulation of results, and these issues must be addressed in court,” MK party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndlela said.
“Our fight is not just about the MK party; it is about ensuring that the voices of all South Africans are heard and respected in the democratic process.”
The party is seeking an order that will set aside the polls and order fresh elections within 90-days.
The IEC has firmly defended the conduct of the 2024 elections, asserting that they were carried out according to established legal and procedural standards.
IEC spokesperson Kate Bapela stated, “The 2024 national and provincial elections were conducted transparently and fairly. We stand by our processes and are confident that the electoral outcomes reflect the will of the South African people.”
The party argued that it had withdrawn its initial bid as it was not yet ready to go to court and that the IEC was attempting to censor it by trying to keep the matter from being ventilated before a judge.
Despite taking nearly 15% of the vote nationally and 45% in Kwazulu-Natal in its first election outing, the party believes it was robbed and attempted to halt the declaration of the result as free and fair on 31 May.
The IEC went ahead with the declaration and the MK party went to court, but withdrew as it was unable to collate evidence on time. The IEC in turn asked that court to rule on the case, rather than allowing the withdrawal, and to issue an order of costs against the MK party.
Meanwhile MK Party member Bonginkosi Khanyile led the “Where Is My Vote” walk on Monday morning, traveling from the City of Tshwane to the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg.
Khanyile was joined by Gauteng Provincial Convener Witness Nyembe, along with regional leaders, party members, supporters, and activists.
“We believe that the 2024 election results were rigged. It does not make numerical or statistical sense that the DA (Democratic Alliance), even if it brings out 100% of its voter base, will do better than uMkhonto weSizwe. We are of the view that the elections were rigged and that our votes were given to other parties or redirected elsewhere, Khanyile said.”