The MK Party is set to revisit its earlier court challenge over the legitimacy of the outcomes of the 2024 elections.
Image: GCIS
More than 18 months after the May 2024 general elections, the Electoral Court is set to hear the court application made by the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) against the Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa over the legitimacy of that ballot.
The MK Party had previously lodged a formal complaint with the Electoral Court, alleging widespread electoral fraud and mismanagement by the IEC. The party’s leadership, including former President Jacob Zuma, claimed that the irregularities significantly impacted the election outcomes and the party sought to have the results declared invalid.
This application comes more than 18 months after the elections were declared "free and fair" by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC. At the time, the MKP said it believed that the disruption of the electoral board for two hours was a deliberate attempt at rigging the elections.
The party in August 2024 withdrew its application against the IEC at the Electoral Court, describing it as a 'strategic pivot away from legal confrontations towards rebuilding and future planning'.
"As the party navigates this new phase, it remains dedicated to its core principles of justice, transparency, and the empowerment of South Africans," the party said at the time.
However, the matter is now set to be heard by the Electoral Court on May 6, with party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela saying he not seen the court document indicating that the matter is returning to court.
A letter purporting to be from the Electoral Court's registrar, Delisile Nhlapho, dated February 27 appears to indicate that the legal showdown between the MKP and IEC will begin on May 6, this year.
"Be pleased to take notice of that pursuant to the provisions of the Rules of this Court, the above-mentioned application has been set down in Johannesburg at the Johannesburg High Court on Wednesday, 06 May 2026 at 9:45. If the application is not to be proceeded with, kindly notify this office," wrote Nhlapho.