The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party issued a statement on Sunday, saying it plans to interdict the first sitting of Parliament. The party said it has ordered its lawyers to file papers in the Constitutional Court to prevent the swearing-in of National Assembly members.
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The party’s reaction was in response to the Parliament secretary’s refusal to halt the swearing-in of new MPs. The party plans to challenge the validity of the May general elections.
On Friday, the party’s legal representatives issued a formal demand to Chief Justice Raymond Zondo and Parliament Secretary Xolile George, arguing that unresolved objections by several political parties have rendered the sitting unconstitutional. The first sitting will swear in members of the National Assembly as well as see the appointment of the president.
Parliament is due to hold its first sitting at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on the 14 June 2024.
The party received 14.5 % of votes, however, the party, led by Former President Jacob Zuma, said that the elections were host to many malpractices. The party alleged that there were incidents of voter rigging in the May 29 general elections. The party secured 45 seats in the KZN Legislature and 58 in the National Assembly.
‘We argue that the unresolved objections and the veracity of the substance by MK party and other parties who represent the will of the people, render this ‘market-based’ declaration, and consequently the sitting and all of its activities unconstitutional, ’ MK party added in their statement to Mail and Guardian.
The MK Party’s 58 nominees for the National Assembly are scheduled to boycott the ceremony on Friday. The party argues that their absentia would deem any resolutions made in the sitting invalid. The party believes that the absence of members from Parliament will prevent achieving the composition of the 350 members required to lawfully constitute the National Assembly.
MK party’s absence will not stop Parliament’s first sitting. Parliament has, in response, cancelled all travel arrangements and accommodation bookings for MK members for its first sitting.
According to ENCA, Parliament has stated that the decision to cancel the party’s flights and accommodation is to avoid incurring ‘fruitless and wasteful expenditure.’
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Picture: Luba Lesolle / Gallo Images