By Celani Sikhakhane
- MK party leaders in KZN are accused of withholding R56 million in IEC funds meant for constituency offices, leaving them unpaid and unstaffed.
- Allegations of missing funds and leadership inaction have caused internal strife, with debts mounting and frustration reportedly reaching MK President Jacob Zuma.
The Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party leadership at the KZN legislature are embroiled in a R56-million funding crisis.
The funds are being given to parties represented in the legislature by the Independent Electoral Commission.
It is alleged that Dr Kwazi Mbanjwa – former director general of the KZN government under then premier Dr Sbu Ndebele – and former uMsunduzi deputy mayor Thobani Zuma, now both MK officials and members of the provincial legislature, are being accused of holding funds that are meant for the the party’s constituency offices.
Scrolla.Africa has learned that these offices are becoming a white elephant, with no rent being paid or staff members hired.
The party funding is given to political parties according to the number of representatives in the legislature. MK received the bulk of funding compared to other political parties in the KZN legislature.
Sources told Scrolla.Africa that even the party leader is asking why the funds aren’t being released, because the organisation is in debt of R30-million, incurred ahead of the 29 May general elections.
“Thobani Zuma and Dr Kwazi Mbanjwa are frustrating uBaba (Jacob Zuma) a lot. They don’t want to release the funding and in some constituency offices that are lucky to have staff members – no one has received a salary.
“We really don’t know what they want to do with the funding. The painful part is that Thobani Zuma no longer answers MK President Zuma’s calls,” one source said.
Another source claims that there’s a fight over the disappearance of R11-million – money believed to have been taken from that R56-million for which no one is being held accountable.
Earlier this month, the rumour mill went into overdrive with unconfirmed reports that both Mbanjwa and Thobani had been recalled from the legislature. A media release not bearing the party letterhead rebutted such claims
When Thobani Zuma was contacted by Scrolla.Africa he laughed the allegations off.
“I don’t want to laugh, but there are people who are designated to speak to the media. Kindly contact them because I am not allowed to speak,” said Zuma.
Mbanjwa said that this is just a joke and no one could block Zuma’s phone number as he is a leader.
“The only person who can explain about the party funding is its commander Willies Mchunu. Kindly contact him,” said Mbanjwa.
Mchunu told Scrolla.Africa that he was surprised to hear that he should be the one to talk about the legislature’s party funding.
“Because they want me to comment it is okay but let me tell you, we never got a chance to meet and discuss issues with the leadership at the legislature. The plan was to meet them this week after the anniversary event.
“Unfortunately I’m not well. As I am talking to you, I’m sleeping on my bed trying to recover, as I am very sick,” said Mchunu.
He said they have now planned to meet next year to discuss all the legislature’s matters, including the issue of party funding.
Pictured above: MK members of the KZN legislature Dr Kwazi Mbanjwa and Thobani Zuma, who are embroiled in allegations over R56-million of party funds.
Source: X
