Jabulani Khumalo, the founder of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, hailed the decision of the Electoral Court as a triumph for the party, expressing determination to shift focus towards the upcoming campaign with aspirations of Jacob Zuma assuming the presidency of South Africa.
Addressing members of the MK party outside the Johannesburg High Court, Khumalo declared, “On June 1, Zuma will start to prepare to form his Cabinet,” following the court’s judgment on the party’s registration.
Last year, Khumalo successfully registered the MK party with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). The court rebuked the African National Congress (ANC) for its failure to contest the registration of the MK party within the stipulated timeframe.
Despite the ANC’s objections claiming procedural irregularities in the party’s registration process, Khumalo asserted that the court’s ruling has paved the way for their participation in the elections.
Originally scheduled for Monday, the Electoral Court’s judgment was postponed to Tuesday. The IEC maintained that there were no legal grounds to dispute the registration of the MK party.
The ANC faces significant challenges in the upcoming elections, grappling with internal divisions that have led to splinter groups in recent years. Past examples include the formation of the Congress of the People (Cope) in 2008 and the emergence of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in 2013.
While this marks the MK party’s debut in national elections, it has demonstrated promising support in regions like KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga during recent by-elections.