Western Cape High Court Orders MK Party to Reinstate 2 Expelled MPs
- The Western Cape High Court ruled against the MK Party after it expelled MPs Pumlani Kubukeli and Dr Khanyisile Litchfield-Tshabalala in August
- Judge Daniel Mafeleu Thulare found that the pair's party memberships were unfairly terminated by party leader Jacob Zuma
- The MKP had written to the Speaker of the National Assembly to begin the process of removing the two MPs from Parliament
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SOUTH AFRICA — The Western Cape High Court has dealt a significant blow to the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, ordering it to reinstate expelled MPs Pumlani Kubukeli and Dr Khanyisile Litchfield-Tshabalala and restore their seats in the National Assembly.
Judge Daniel Mafeleu Thulare handed down the judgment after the two MPs challenged their expulsions in court. The ruling found that their terminations were unlawful and directed that their previous status as party members and parliamentarians be fully restored.
Why MKP expelled the two MPs
The party announced the expulsions in August, citing what it described as a series of acts and conduct detrimental to the party's name, reputation and integrity. The MKP invoked the authority of the party president's office to justify the decision.
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"Their membership in the uMkhonto weSizwe Party is therefore terminated with immediate effect," the party's statement read.
Following the expulsions, the MKP wrote to the Speaker of the National Assembly to formally communicate its decision and begin the process of removing Kubukeli and Litchfield-Tshabalala from Parliament.
Court reverses MKP's decision
By challenging the expulsions in court, the two MPs successfully argued that the process used against them was unlawful. The court sided with them, ordering reinstatement of both their party membership and their parliamentary positions.
The ruling has attracted significant commentary on social media, with many users drawing broader conclusions about the MKP's internal governance.
Social media reactions
@JustXavierB joked:
"You cannot un-gwaza a member"
@Constitution_94 wrote:
"Back to their salaries!"
@malalaveve commented:
"Lol this is a perfect example that the existing MK Constitution that the Supreme Leader Mr Jacob Zuma can wake up and fire comrades without following disciplinary process is against the law."
@Mademza_ noted:
"Today the Electoral Court dismissed MkhontoweSizwex party's application to declare the 2024 elections as not free and fair. This party will not succeed at anything with Zuma at the helm. He is now a total liability."
@Mashesha_RSA added:
"The instability within this party is even annoying the opposition parties 🤣🤣🤣"
IEC rules against MK Party on 2024 local elections
Briefly News also reported that the Electoral Court of South Africa has dismissed the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party's legal challenge against the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). The matter stemmed from the results of the 2024 National Elections, which the party disputed. The judgment, handed down on 25 September 2026 in Bloemfontein, ruled against the MK Party on the merits of its application.
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Source: Briefly News
