uMkhonto WeSizwe Party has bolstered its parliamentary presence with the swearing-in of eight new MPs in a ceremony held at the Parliament Buildings in Cape Town.
(The Post News)- Three former heads of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have been sworn in as Members of Parliament for the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party. Brian Molefe, former CEO of Eskom, Lucky Montana, former CEO of PRASA, and Siyabonga Gama, former CEO of Transnet, took their oaths as MPs, replacing other MK members who were unceremoniously fired.
The induction of these controversial figures, who have been implicated in the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, is seen as a strategic move by the MK Party to bolster its ranks with individuals who have public service expertise. The party believes this will make it a more formidable opposition force.
Molefe, who had a brief stint as an ANC member in 2017, is a known loyalist of former President Jacob Zuma. Montana and Gama also featured prominently in the state capture inquiry. Other notable inductees include Mzwanele Manyi, former head of the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), and EFF national spokesperson Sinawo Thambo, who replaced former deputy leader Floyd Shivambu.
The MK party’s other MPs include Thembisile Siboniso Mjadu, Nompumelelo Matilda Gasa, Gezani Eric Kobane, Thulani Innocent Gamede and renowned musician Eric “Papa Penny” Nkovani.The MK Party’s move comes after weeks of internal turmoil, with some ousted MPs accusing the parliamentary leadership of fraud and failure to follow due processes.
The party’s intentions to bring in Zuma loyalists have been an open secret, and this latest development is seen as a significant shift in the party’s strategy.
Thamsanqa Khuzwayo, Isaac Menyatso, Citron Motshegoe, Augustina Qwetha, Nomado Mgwebi, Ntombenhle Mkhize, Sydwell , France Mfiki, Senzo Dlamini, and Agnes Mogotsi have approached the Western Cape High Court to block the swearing-in of their replacements in Parliament. They are seeking an urgent interdict to halt the process until their review application is heard.
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