Ten uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK) members who were fired by the party two weeks ago from Parliament are accusing the party of forging their resignation letters. The former MPs who were also expelled from the party are now challenging their dismissal in Western Cape High Court for unfair dismissal.

UNFAIR DISMISSAL

The lawyers of the former MPs filed an urgent application to have them reinstated at the Western Cape High Court in Cape Town on Monday. The MK Party members represented by Wendy Cele & Associates, want the court to review and set aside the MK Party's decision to terminate their membership. In court papers, the members accuse the party of forging their signatures on the resignation letters sent to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza. The former MPs also said in the court papers that the party never notified them about the decision to fire them from Parliament. They also accused the MK Party of lying about following internal processes to fire them. The members further want the party to reconsider their decision, as some of them have quit their jobs to focus their energy on representing the party in Parliament. The disgruntled members are Thamsanqa Fortunate Khuzwayo, Isaac Keleboe Menyatso, Citron Mpho Motshegoe, Augastina Madala Qwetha, Nomado Grace Mrwebi, Ntombenhle Mkhize, Sydwell Matholeni Masilela, France Bongani Mfiki, Senzo Selby Dlamini and Agnes Mogotsi.

ADJOURNED

The matter that was heard in court today was adjourned to 3 September 2024. "The MK Party needs to file their answering affidavits on the 27th of August and our reply on the 30th; file heads of argument on the 2nd of September; and in the 3rd it's a full-day hearing. The Speaker of the National Assembly, who is the second respondent in the matter, has agreed to our application and will not be opposing our application, so we are good. We will be working tirelessly until the 3rd; we did not get the interim order, but they will not be swearing in any members," said their legal representative, Wendy Cele. MK spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said that the members who are taking the party to court are as good as gone. "Party members who are taking us to court are demonstrating ill discipline and they have become another Jabulani Khumalo. You know exactly what happened to Jabulani Khumalo, they are applying for the same fate," he said.