Some former ANC MPs look set to return to public office after polls as MK Party members

CAPE TOWN - Some former African National Congress (ANC) members of Parliament (MPs) look set for a return to public office after the elections, but as uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party members.

One of the most senior former ANC MPs to join the ranks of the Jacob Zuma-led MK Party is former National Council of Provinces (NCOP) deputy chairperson Raseriti Tau, who tops the party’s list in his native Northern Cape.

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But the party still said that its parliamentary lists were not entirely final and may have been manipulated.

The MK Party, which hopes to spoil the party for the ANC at the provincial and national elections, has also gone after the governing party’s own former MPs to represent it.

Besides Zuma, the movement has also attracted the likes of former MP and Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) member, Mervyn Dirks, who was expelled from the ANC for his MK Party links.

Tau may have gone under the radar, but the former ANC presiding officer is now donning MK Party colours and sits second on the Northern Cape list.

However, it’s not clear whether Tau will be heading to Parliament, as MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndlela said lists weren’t final.

“There were lists that were submitted and people were given responsibilities to upload those according to party line and recommendations, and they didn’t. So, we had to open up a case.”

ANC spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, had not responded to questions on Tau appearing on the MK Party list.