An investigation is underway by South African police to determine if former President Jacob Zuma’s newly formed political party, the MK Party, engaged in the forgery of supporters’ signatures to register for the upcoming national elections slated for next month.
The recent probe into the MK Party’s activities follows the allegations of a former party official, reported by a national newspaper, suggesting an elaborate scheme to forge some of the 15,000 signatures required for party registration. Responding to the claims, the Independent Electoral Commission urged for an investigation, prompting National Police Commissioner Gen. Fannie Masemola to confirm the launch of an inquiry in Cape Town, the alleged site of the forgery. Masemola indicated that the investigation aims to determine if there are grounds for prosecution.
The MK Party, known for its outspoken criticism of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), which Zuma once led, has faced legal challenges regarding its eligibility to participate in the pivotal May 29 elections, deemed the most significant in South Africa in the past three decades.
Initially rejected by the Independent Electoral Commission, the MK Party managed to secure registration after a second attempt. However, Zuma’s eligibility to stand as a parliamentary candidate was called into question due to his criminal conviction for contempt of court and subsequent imprisonment in 2021. Despite a successful appeal, a final ruling from the Constitutional Court is pending next month.
Zuma made headlines in December when he announced his affiliation with the MK Party and his intention to campaign against the ANC, the party he led from 2007 to 2017. Forced to resign by the ANC amid corruption allegations, Zuma continues to face legal battles, including charges of corruption dating back several years.
Despite his legal entanglements, Zuma remains influential in certain regions of South Africa, and his MK Party is anticipated to draw support away from the ANC if permitted to participate in the elections.
However, the party risks disqualification should the forgery allegations prove true, further adding complexity to an already contentious electoral landscape.
Melissa Enoch
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