The ANC says it accepts the decision of the Electoral Court to reject its application to have the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) declare the uMkhonto weSizwe Party’s (MKP) registration as a political party invalid.
ANC spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, said in a media statement on Tuesday that the ruling party respects the judgment by the Electoral Court.
“The ANC notes the decision by the Electoral Court today [Tuesday] on the registration of the MK Party (MKP),” Bhengu-Motsiri said.
Support for the rule of law
“The ANC reiterates our support for the rule of law, the integrity of our legal institutions, and the legal principle of equality before the law.
“We accept the judgment and will fully comply with it. The ANC upholds the principles of justice and legality.
“We are not opposed to the party’s presence on the ballot, provided the registration process conducted by the IEC was in accordance with the law.”
Earlier in the day, the Electoral Court sitting at the Johannesburg High Court dismissed the ANC’s application to declare the registration of MKP with the IEC invalid and unlawful.
While handing down the judgement, Judge Leicester Rock Adams said “there is nothing unlawful about the registration of MKP” with the IEC, adding that the ANC’s application was dismissed with no order to pay.
There was a hive of activity outside the court building as scores of MKP supporters dressed in green party T-shirts, and carrying placards, sang and chanted struggle songs in celebration of the judgment.
Logo and name court battle looms
Meanwhile, Bhengu-Motsiri said the ANC strongly objects to the use of the logo and name of its military wing, uMkhonto we Sizwe, by MKP.
The ANC and MKP will square off tomorrow in the Durban High Court on this matter.
Said Bhengu-Motsiri: “The MK logo and name are the heritage and intellectual property of the ANC, we will not allow counter-revolutionaries to hijack our movement for personal gain.”
