MK Party MPs plan to boycott Parliament until electoral outcome qualms are solved

CAPE TOWN - While Parliament says it’s ready to show new members of Parliament (MPs) the ropes, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party is reiterating its plan to boycott the house until its legal battles are resolved.

The party announced earlier this week that it would forgo the first sitting because it disputes the electoral outcome.

In a statement on Friday, the party said reports that it’s changed its mind about this were untrue.

On Thursday, the secretary to Parliament officially received the lists of designated candidates from Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.

It includes the names of 58 MK Party members.

ALSO READ:

• Call for first sitting of Parliament not at mercy of political parties' coalition talks: Zondo

• Political parties not required to have agreed on governance before first sitting of Parliament, says CASAC

On Friday, however, the party said it’s standing by its position that it won’t be making a first appearance with the other parties elected to office in last week’s polls.

To do so, said MK Party, would betray those who voted for the party but whose votes were allegedly not counted.

“Our resolve remains strong, and we will continue to fight for the true representation of our voters in parliament and ensure that every voter’s desire finds expression in parliament,” said spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela.

In its debut at the polls - the African National Congress' splinter party won over two million votes, making it the country’s third-largest party after the Democratic Alliance.

The MK Part said its designated MPs would only pitch in Parliament once it proves to the court it was robbed at the polls.

However, Constitutional experts say their absence won’t impact the requisite quorum to elect the president and Speaker of Parliament at the first sitting expected in less than two weeks.