10 former MK Party MPs claiming expelled dubiously will challenge party in court

CAPE TOWN - Ten former uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party parliamentarians who were expelled under what they said are dubious circumstances will challenge the party in the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday.

They are asking the court to stop the party from replacing them in the National Assembly until the court has reviewed their expulsions and alleged resignations.

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They are part of a group of 18 members of Parliament (MPs) summarily axed by the party in August after just two months in the job.

They said they remained committed to the party and its leader, Jacob Zuma, and want their jobs back.

Two weeks ago, 10 of the disgruntled group approached the High Court alleging their membership and their jobs had been terminated without reason.

They claim bogus expulsion and resignation letters were handed to Parliament in support of their removal and to pave the way for new recruits.

Last week, the party replaced eight of those vacancies, two of them with members who formed part of the original expelled group.

Nompumulelo Gasa and Thembisile Mjadu were sworn in as first-time MPs in June and again in the Speaker’s office last week.

The other five seats were filled by new recruits, including former heads of parastatals Brian Molefe, Siyabonga Gama and Lucky Montana, as well as former African National Congress (ANC) councillor and musician Eric Kobane, better known as Pappa Penny.

The disgruntled group wants the court to stop any further pending replacements, and to order that their benefits as MPs remain untouched until the court has reviewed the process that has led to their removal.

The MK Party plans to oppose Tuesday’s application.