Efforts by ACT, AASD, and the Labour Party to delay elections were unsuccessful
Efforts by ACT, AASD, and the Labour Party to delay elections were unsuccessful
The IEC contended that acceding to the parties’ request for election postponement would incur a cost of nearly R600 million for the country.
Three political parties lose bid in elections being postponed
Three political parties without registration have been unsuccessful in their attempt to delay this month’s elections.
The African Congress for Transformation, the Labour Party, and the Afrikan Alliance of Social Democrats sought the intervention of the Constitutional Court to compel the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) to revise its deadline for submissions from newly registered parties.
According to Eyewitness News, the parties asserted that the IEC’s online submission portal experienced technical issues, hindering compliance with the Electoral Act.
The Labour Party of South Africa advocated for postponing the 29 May polls.
The court decision on Friday concluded that the parties wouldn’t receive an extension to be included on the ballot.
The IEC justified its stance by highlighting that delaying the elections would entail a cost of nearly R600 million for the country.
ACT Party suspects infiltration by spies led by Ace Magashule
ACT spokesperson Mohau Khumalo expressed suspicion of rogue elements at work following a significant wave of resignations within the party.
The African Congress for Transformation (ACT), led by Ace Magashule, acknowledged the potential presence of rogue elements within its ranks, stating that it could not dismiss the possibility.
This development follows the public resignation of certain members of the party, who identified themselves as Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) members.
They cited dissatisfaction with the inadequate funding allocated to the Mpumalanga province as their reason for resigning.
According to The Citizen, ACT spokesperson Mohau Khumalo clarified that the party still needed to elect Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) members, emphasising that all individuals volunteered for the party until official structures were established.
“The reason why we are not in a rush to set up positions is that we are a very inclusive party and we want the right people to come. Now we have coordinators that are coordinating districts and provinces,” he said.
Khumalo expressed the party’s disappointment with the conduct of specific volunteers who presented themselves as elected leaders of the Mpumalanga province and chose to voice their grievances to the media instead of addressing them internally.
“Its possible that they are spies. There are many possibilities we do not know. If they were part of us, and they were following the guidelines of this party, they would have written a grievance and probably come and engage with us but they never did that,” he said.
Khumalo highlighted that ACT was a significant party led by esteemed figures like Magashule, making it an appealing target for individuals with alternative agendas.
“You cannot avoid spies, it is not written on their foreheads. It is sad when people want to leave, they call press conferences. Spies are not written, we are a big organisation and we will attract all sorts of things but the ocean always cleanses itself,” Khumalo said.
Lately, the MK party took action by expelling members suspected of espionage or disloyalty, including co-founder Jabulani Khumalo.
Political analyst Piet Croucamp noted that breakaway parties from the ANC tended to be particularly wary of accusations regarding espionage and infiltration.