WC High Court sets aside removal of MK Party members from its NA candidates' list
The party has been largely criticised for removing elected representatives to make way for figures such as Dr John Hlophe, who has served as the official opposition’s leader in Parliament.
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party held a media briefing on 22 August 2024. Picture: Jacques Nelles/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The Western Cape High Court has set aside the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party’s decision to remove members of the All African Alliance Movement (AAAM) from its candidates' list, expelling them from the party during the election period.
Sophonia Tsekedi and Khethiso Tebe appeared as the third and seventh candidates for the National Assembly respectively.
Tsekedi is the leader of the (AAAM) comprising several African churches and claims to have 14 million congregants backing it.
The order of the Western Cape High Court marks the first case in which the decision of the MK Party to expel members originally placed on the candidates' list and elected to Parliament has been reversed.
The party has been largely criticised for removing elected representatives to make way for figures such as Dr John Hlophe, who has served as the official opposition’s leader in Parliament.
The order means all the subsequent events must also be reserved by implication.
Therefore, the removed applicants must be reinstated and those put in their place must now be removed.
However, the MK Party may still appeal the matter which would then suspend the superior court's order.