MPs Out: MK party sets record straight

THE uMkhonto Wesizwe party fired and replaced its members of Parliament just a few weeks after they were sworn in, in July this year.

In a letter dated 3 August 2024, National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza informed the members that she had received a letter from the party's chief whip, Sihle Ngubane, stating that their membership had been terminated and they could no longer serve in Parliament.

The dismissals come days after the party, for the second time, fired Arthur Zwane as its secretary-general. This is less than a month after he was reinstated to the position. Zwane was fired earlier in July together with the treasurer-general, Danisa Zulu.

However, responding to this, the MK party noted the claims circulating on social media about MPs being expelled.

In a statement, the party said this is contrary to the truth.

ALSO READ | Mashonisa horror: Gogo and daughter hacked to deathOpens in new window

"On the swearing-in day, 25 July 2024, 12 members were informed that they would be replaced as MPs. They were further advised not to proceed to avail themselves for the swearing-in or stage pending the parliamentary procedures. It's also important to note that leading up to the elections, the MK party IEC list was compromised by saboteurs who went on to populate the IEC system with a list of their friends, family members, and neighbours."

The statement continues, stating that as the MK party, they made a promise to their people that they would be reflective of society, which is exactly what they aim to achieve.

"A case has been opened at Sandton Police Station regarding the list. The chief whip of the party in the National Assembly wrote letters to the Speaker, requesting that these members be replaced by other MK members. These letters were processed on 7 August, and letters of termination were sent to individual members by the Speaker of Parliament."

It states that subsequently, the letter from the chief whip to Parliament was leaked, and certain terminated members further leaked them to social media.

"It's this ill-discipline and rogue behaviour that has led to the spurious misleading reports. We place it on record that all internal MK party processes were followed. All replaced members were informed of the intention to replace them as MPs representing the MK party."