Warring Eastern Cape MK party factions take fight to IEC

Warring uMkhonto weSizwe party factions in the Eastern Cape have taken their battle to the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC).

A parallel structure, which has been opposing the interim provincial leadership, lodged an objection with the IEC over the party’s candidates on the provincial list, claiming the list was incorrect.

However, the IEC has refused to remove the candidates from the list.

In correspondence to MK party provincial convener Pumlani Kubukeli, IEC commission services manager Mlungisi Kelembe said insufficient evidence had been provided to substantiate the allegations.

“Nonetheless, the commission has considered the objection and finds that it implicates matters that fall outside of the grounds for objections as contained in [Section] 30 of the Electoral Act,” he wrote.

“In the circumstances, the objection is rejected.

“Should you feel aggrieved by the decision of the commission, you may refer the matter to the Electoral Court, in accordance with Section 30(4) of the Electoral Act.

“The commission remains mindful of its obligations to ensure free and fair elections, and will act consistently with that responsibility in the conduct of the 2024 national and provincial elections.”

The faction dealt the blow by the IEC is said to have been led by KwaZulu-Natal-based MK party volunteer and former EFF MP Sipho Mbatha and the Eastern Cape’s France Mfiki.

In strongly worded correspondence, Kubukeli previously blasted the two and accused them of sowing division in the province.

This was before the Mbatha-Mfiki faction organised a meeting without the blessing of the interim provincial leadership and elected its own provincial leaders.

A grouping calling itself MK Eastern Cape Intelligence, which appeared to be backing the interim provincial leadership, has now accused Mbatha and Mfiki of trying to manipulate the list.

Intelligence member Bulelani Ncapayi vowed that they would rescue the party from “the greedy people who are power hungry”.

“Mfiki and his allies are using the vulnerable comrades who were not appointed to serve in interim regional task teams across the province,” he said.

The MK party was launched by former president Jacob Zuma in December after he announced that he would not campaign for the ANC ahead of the May 29 election.

Ncapayi accused the ruling party of infiltrating the MK party structures in the province in an attempt to destabilise it.

“The Eastern Cape is an ANC stronghold and it will do anything to defend it,” Ncapayi said.

“MK Intelligence will make sure that the party is on the right track soon.”

Kubukeli declined to comment on the IEC’s decision and the impact of the infighting on the party’s election campaign.

He referred the media to the members affected by the IEC’s decision, saying he was “not at liberty to comment on matters dealing with specific members of the party”.

“I must just add that comrade Mfiki is a loyal member of our provincial organising team and we are working harmoniously together campaigning for the party,” Kubukeli said.

“Any other challenges that we might be experiencing are just generic teething challenges of any three-month-old party.”

Kubukeli previously said all the party’s election structures were in place and it was ready to contest the 2024 elections in the province.

At the time, he was adamant that the infighting would not distract the party.

“Our president JZ had prewarned us about the fever that some former ANC members might bring to the party,” Kubukeli said.

Approached for comment yesterday, Mfiki said: “Show me what you are talking about.”

However, he did not comment after being shown the IEC’s correspondence rejecting the objection.

Mbatha did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication.

ANC provincial spokesperson Loyiso Magqashela could not be reached to clear the air over allegations that the ruling party had infiltrated MK party structures.