The uMkhonto weSizwe Party members clashed inside the KwaZulu-Natal legislature precinct over the legitimate members to be sworn in as members of the provincial legislature (MPL’s).
Despite being in pole position in terms of provincial votes at 45%, translating to 37 legislature seats, the Jacob Zuma-led formation was relegated to the opposition benches.
This was done through a coalition government of the DA, ANC, IFP and NFP, whose combined tally was 41 seats.
In an unprecedented move on Friday, during the swearing-in ceremony outside the legislature, the MK Party members were engaged in a heated confrontation.
The stand-off soon turned into a fist fight.
Forged list
At the heart of the schism was an apparent forged list, which was submitted to the secretary of the legislature, Nerusha Naidoo.
“We would not allow a situation where comrades who have campaigned for MK have these seats sidelined by people who we do not know,” lashed out one MK member, who preferred being called comrade Xolo.
As MK Party members were engaging in a physical altercation, members of other political parties looked on in shock.
Sunday World understands that two lists were submitted to the legislature, one allegedly endorsed by Zuma, while another was given the green light by an ex-party convener in KwaZulu-Natal, Nhlanhla Ngidi.
Ngidi was removed from his position on claims that he was planted by the ANC to cause chaos in the party, an allegation that was never proven.
Ngidi, before the fallout, was placed at number one on the provincial list, and he was touted for the premiership role.
MK does not belong to anyone
According to another MK Party member, Thanda Shelembe, the list, which was submitted on Friday morning, had allegedly been forged to include former ANC member and known photographer for the party, Simphiwe Moyo, and businessman Smanga Mabaso.
“We’re being divided by Thobani Zuma and his friends in the ANC. The MK Party does not belong to anyone but the people. Even Nxamalala, he cannot dictate to us,” said Shelembe.
Zuma is the former ANC deputy mayor of Msunduzi local municipality in Pietermaritzburg. He defected to the ANC in February.
Angry MK Party members also voiced their frustration about the party’s WhatsApp group, saying: “We must deal with Thobani Zuma.”
“Ngeke sizwe ngoThobani. Comrades, iyani elegislature niyomisa leyanto [Comrades, we won’t take instructions from Thobani. Go to the legislature and block that list],” one member charged.
As the day progressed, the legislature carried on with swearing in the members of the MK Party who were inside the legislature.
