uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party leader Jacob Zuma is grappling with sharp internal dissent after aggrieved Durban members alleged that official candidate lists were altered prior to their submission to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).
On Monday morning, disgruntled party members picketed outside a Durban venue where Zuma was meeting with national and local leaders in a bid to resolve the matter. While several municipalities are reportedly affected, eThekwini remains the focal point of the grievances.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, members indicated they gathered to demand direct intervention from Zuma.
The picketers claimed they were shocked to learn that candidates they had voted for and who had been accepted by the party’s election team were not the candidates submitted to the IEC by the August 28 deadline.
One of the candidates, who claimed he was removed from the list, said his community had told him that if they did not see his picture on the ballot, they would not vote.
MK Party eThekwini regional spokesperson Mkhanka Zuma confirmed that most of those who picketed were from his region and that the regional leadership had addressed them regarding their complaints.
He said as the regional leadership, they had submitted the names chosen by the members and that the national leadership would have to explain whether any changes were made before the lists were submitted to the IEC.
“We would like to assure our members and supporters that the national leadership, together with all relevant structures and parties involved, has been working tirelessly on this matter for the past three days. Should any individuals be found responsible for wrongdoing, they will be held accountable in accordance with the organisation's processes,” said Zuma.
He also confirmed that the party president Jacob Zuma was personally handling the matter.
The party's national spokesperson, Sifiso Mhlangu, had not responded to questions about the alleged changes to the list by the time of publication.
The IEC will publish the final list of candidates on September 16.
The latest dispute comes amid other challenges for the party. The MK Party is facing court action from two expelled members, Pumlani Kubukeli and Dr Khanyisile Litchfield-Tshabalala, who are challenging party president Jacob Zuma’s power to summarily remove them from their positions.
willem.phungula@nationalmg.co.za