By Celani Sikhakhane
- Two KZN MPLs served with suspension letters over their refusal to hand over party bank account.
- Many millions in legislature party-funding allocation is at the centre of the row.
Three UMkhonto weSizwe Party members in the KZN legislature are set to face an internal party disciplinary hearing over the alleged mishandling of legislature party funding.
This followed their shocking New Year’s Day suspension.
The three legislature leaders are to be probed by the MKP’s internal National Prosecution Unit which is led by the party’s national organiser, Nathi Nhleko.
The trio is being probed over the alleged missing R56-million of IEC (Independent Electoral Commission) party funding.
The MKP announced on Wednesday that it suspended Thobani Zuma, Dr Kwazi Mbanjwa and Sifiso Zuma with immediate effect.
They are suspended from both the KZN legislature and the party.
In a statement released by party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela, former president Jacob Zuma and the High Command have charged them for transgressions and irregularities of the MKP constitution.
“Dr Kwazi Mbanjwa will be removed with immediate effect as the chief whip and as a member of the KZN legislature pending the outcome of the disciplinary processes. Thobani Zuma will be suspended as member of the KZN legislature with immediate effect pending the disciplinary outcome. Sfiso Zuma has been issued with cautionary suspension as caucus manager with immediate effects pending the disciplinary outcomes,” the statement read.
It further said that these leaders will be afforded the opportunity to appear before the disciplinary committee to present their cases.
Scrolla.Africa reported last month about the planned suspension over the R56-million that was given to the MKP by the IEC.
The funding is disbursed to political parties represented at the legislature based on the number of seats won during the elections.
Mbanjwa and the two Zumas are also accused of blocking Jacob Zuma’s cellphone number which made it impossible for him to get hold of them.
The funds were meant for the operation of the MKP constituencies.
There are also allegations that those offices are becoming white elephants because no rent has been paid and staff members have also not received monthly salaries.
Zuma and Mbanjwa laughed off the allegations when they were approached for comments by Scrolla.Africa.
Mbanjwa even said that KZN MKP convener Willies Mchunu is the one who should answer about the funds.
Jacob Zuma is said to be furious over this as he is also frustrated by R30-million debt incurred during the 29 May election campaigns.
Pictured above: Top MKP leaders Thobani Zuma and Dr Kwazi Mbanjwa have been referred to the Prosecution Unit of the Party led by Nathi Nhleko.
Source: MKP
