South African police are currently investigating allegations that signatures were forged by former President Jacob Zuma’s new political party to register for national elections next month.
The MK Party, which has been openly critical of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) that Zuma once led, is facing legal challenges over its eligibility to contest the crucial May 29 elections in South Africa.
Last year, the Independent Electoral Commission initially rejected the MK Party’s registration, but a subsequent attempt succeeded.
Zuma himself was initially ruled ineligible due to a criminal conviction for contempt of court in 2021. However, his appeal was successful, with a final Constitutional Court ruling pending next month.
The new investigation was prompted by a report in a national newspaper alleging that a former party official disclosed an elaborate scheme to fabricate some of the required 15,000 signatures for party registration.
The Independent Electoral Commission has called for an inquiry, and National Police Commissioner Gen. Fannie Masemola confirmed that an investigation has been initiated in Cape Town, where the alleged forgery took place. Masemola stated that the investigation will determine if there are grounds for prosecution.
Zuma made waves in December when he announced his association with the MK Party as its de facto leader, campaigning against the ANC, which he led from 2007 to 2017. Zuma served as South Africa’s president from 2009 to 2018 before stepping down amid corruption allegations.
Accused of presiding over widespread corruption during his tenure, Zuma is currently on trial for corruption, although legal delays have stalled proceedings for three years.
Despite his legal challenges, Zuma retains popularity in certain regions of South Africa. The MK Party, if allowed to stand after the forgery allegations, is expected to siphon votes away from the ANC.
The outcome of next month’s elections could be pivotal, potentially marking the ANC’s first loss of a parliamentary majority since the end of apartheid in 1994. Numerous polls and analysts anticipate that the ANC may need to form a coalition to remain in power due to growing discontent.
Should the allegations of signature forgery be substantiated, the MK Party faces disqualification from the upcoming elections.
