ANC fails to remove MK Party from the ballot

The Electoral Court has dismissed the ANC’s application to have Umkhonto Wesizwe de-registered as a political party.

The governing party had taken the Independent Electoral Commission to the court over the matter.

The court, however, found that the deputy CEO of the electoral body had acted in compliance with the Electoral Commission Act when registering the party.

Political analyst, Justice Malala, has described the ANC’s failed IEC bid as an ‘own goal’.

He says the governing party is its own enemy, adding that the decision to challenge the IEC seemed like an afterthought.

“Today the judges say you could have done this within the time allocated and the ANC didn’t do it and so you have a party that scores its own goals all the time.”

Malala says if the ANC continues in this manner, the MK Party will continue to make headway in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Mpumalanga.

MK’s Lebogang Moepeng says the ANC could have used the same attitude and energy to respond to the plight of ordinary South Africans instead of hauling them to court.

Scores of supporters gathered in jubilation outside the High Court in Johannesburg where the judgment was delivered.

Moepeng says the legal battle by the ANC is evidence enough that the governing party’s priorities are self-centered.

“Let us confine our fight to the ballot box, irrespective of what happens Nxamalala (Zuma) says let us not be angry.”

The party has however praised the courts for not being biased, this is despite their previous assertions that the judiciary is captured.

[WATCH] #ANCvsMK Jubilation outside court following the judgement that the registration of the #MKparty is above board. #eNCA pic.twitter.com/jVcMQWbqZI

— Silindelo Masikane (@Sli_Masikane) March 26, 2024

The ANC has welcomed the ruling, but says it will continue its fight to have the party lose its name.

“The ANC accepts that all South Africans have rights to certain fundamental freedoms, among which is the right to join or establish a political party of one’s choice. This is a fundamental freedom for which we fought.”

ANC NOTES ELECTORAL COURT JUDGEMENT: The African National Congress (ANC) notes the decision by the Electoral Court today (26 March 2024) on the registration of the MK Party (MKP). pic.twitter.com/6Ymy6GHnOD

— African National Congress (@MYANC) March 26, 2024

Malala says it’s a little too late for the ANC to try and stand up against the MK Party.

He says they need to accept the reality that Umkhonto Wesizwe is now a political party.

This is ahead of another legal showdown in the Pietermaritzburg High Court tomorrow, where the battle for intellectual property will come into play.

The ANC will once again challenge the use of its trademark, Umkhonto Wesizwe and logo.

They say the MK logo and name are the heritage and intellectual property of the ANC and they will not allow counter-revolutionaries to hijack the movement for their personal gain.

ANC vs MK case made MK party even more popular, Zuma was a president for two terms but did absolutely nothing, I’m happy that MK is there to split ANC votes coming from KZN.

— Prof Martin Baur (PhD Organic Chemistry) (@Martin_baur_che) March 26, 2024

You must never forget this moment where the ANC showed its true colours,this ANC vs MK Party judgement is just the beginning Fikile Mbalula, there’s more to come,you will be forced to go to the EFF folding your hat, Dali Mpofu will be there again in negotiations 😂 😂 😂 pic.twitter.com/MbjDfP1R0u

— Makhanya’s 9ll5 (@MakhanyaPBR) March 26, 2024

Today no one is saying anything about the courts being captured by Cyril Ramaphosa and ANC 🤣

ANC vs MK. Breaking News. Dali Mpofu

— Mfungho & Ntshaho (@Choppa_Mat) March 26, 2024

Hello @ANCKZN niright wengane zika Ramaphosa 🤭

Kusacula nimurata niyamufela 😭

ANC vs MK pic.twitter.com/w34atuS4OP

— Zuma was right 🙌🏽 (@malencane7) March 26, 2024