The MK Party has filed a dispute with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) over the vote count in eThekwini, citing discrepancies between electronically captured vote totals and signed results slips completed by its agents at voting stations. The party has requested an independent audit to investigate the matter. Preliminary results show the MK Party falling short of an outright majority, with IEC projections putting its support at around 39%. This leaves the party dependent on smaller parties or a larger coalition partner to govern the metro.
The MK Party has accused the IEC of serious failures at its eThekwini results operations centre, including a system breakdown during live results capture and transmission that disrupted data streams and altered visible audit trails. The party has also raised concerns about discrepancies between figures displayed on the IEC's electronic leaderboards and those recorded on certified physical results slips. These discrepancies have raised questions about the integrity of the vote count and the potential for the MK Party to be shut out of government.
The possibility of rival parties joining forces to keep the MK Party out of office has echoes of the 2024 national and provincial elections, when the MK Party secured 47% of the vote in KwaZulu-Natal but was elbowed out of the provincial government by the ANC, the DA, the IFP, and the National Freedom Party. The MK Party has not abandoned hope of assembling a majority with smaller parties, but an arrangement with the ANC could prove more complicated. Divisions are emerging in both parties over whether they should work together.
MK Party insiders have told the Sunday Times that some in the party are open to an arrangement with the ANC in eThekwini, though they doubted party leader Jacob Zuma would approve it. At a media briefing, MK Party national disciplinary committee chair Dali Mpofu said no agreement could be concluded or signed on behalf of the party without the explicit approval of its presidency. The party must approach coalition negotiations with unity, discipline, and a clear understanding that participation in government must advance the interests of its people.
MK Party acting secretary-general Lindiwe Mtshali Makhubu said the party's natural inclination is to work with parties that share its values and vision for South Africa. However, the party is talking to various people, including all players who are willing to talk to them. The ANC is equally divided over whether to negotiate with Zuma's party or take up the opposition benches. The party's coalition task team met on Friday to discuss its options, with some national leaders favouring remaining in opposition.
ANC chair Gwede Mantashe has indicated his personal view that the party should consider going into opposition under certain circumstances. However, the national leadership faces pressure from the ANC's KwaZulu-Natal structures to engage the MK Party, with regional leaders pushing for discussions with Zuma's entity. One regional leader said the ANC paid a price in some of its traditional strongholds for sidelining the MK Party after the 2024 provincial elections and that they cannot repeat the same thing.
Meanwhile, there is growing support within the MK Party for nominating former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede to lead the metro if it secures a governing coalition. Provincial leaders will handle negotiations in hung municipalities under national guidance. At least two MK Party insiders confirmed that Gumede's name has been raised as a potential candidate, though it is unclear whether she would be acceptable to potential coalition partners.
Key points
- The MK Party has requested an independent audit to investigate discrepancies in the eThekwini vote count.
- The party faces the possibility of being shut out of government in eThekwini, echoing the 2024 national and provincial elections.
- Divisions are emerging within both the MK Party and the ANC over potential coalition negotiations.
Reporting sources
- The Sunday Times · The Sunday Times
