WELKOM, FREE STATE — Concerned members of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) in the Free State have raised serious allegations regarding MKP candidate list manipulation ahead of the 2026 local government elections. During a media briefing in Welkom, grassroots members accused the party’s political elections task team of undermining democratic nominations and called for immediate intervention from the National Leadership to ensure transparency.
The members claim that numerous names submitted for the proportional representation (PR) lists are not reflected on the final documents submitted to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). According to the grievances raised, the irregularities have severely damaged the party’s electoral prospects and betrayed voters.
The issues extend beyond the PR lists, with several wards across the province reportedly left without candidates. In Mangaung, which comprises 36 wards, the candidate list was allegedly altered, resulting in five wards being left uncontested. Similar disruptions were reported in the Maluti-a-Phofung and Phumelela sub-regions, where wards were left uncontested despite candidates having been officially nominated. In another unusual development, members noted that a mayoral candidate seemingly “emerged out of nowhere” without having gone through the official nomination process.
In response to these irregularities, the concerned members are demanding the immediate removal of the provincial coordinator, Sandile Mabiza, whom they accuse of being linked to the irregularities.
However, an MKP political mediator who attended the briefing offered a different perspective, urging the aggrieved members to maintain calm and unity. The mediator highlighted that the complaints regarding shuffled lists and alleged fraud are not isolated to the Free State but are occurring in various provinces across the country.
“The crisis that you are seeing, or the complaints these comrades are complaining about here, is something that is happening in all other provinces in the country,” the political mediator explained. He noted that national investigations are currently underway, with teams visiting provinces to gather evidence and information to ensure a proper and fair outcome. He stressed the importance of following proper procedures as the party navigates this critical pre-election period.
Addressing the accusations directly, provincial coordinator Sandile Mabiza dismissed the members’ demands as unjustified and unprocedural. He clarified that the handling of the candidate lists falls outside the jurisdiction of his office.
“When it comes to the issue of the list, that has nothing to do with our office, even the office of the provincial coordinator per se,” Mabiza stated. He explained that the matter is being handled nationally by national officials and the office of the Secretary-General (SG). Therefore, he noted, it is not within his office’s purview to comment on the specifics of the PR list.
In related political developments, the party also welcomed the African National Congress’s (ANC) recent victory over the IEC at the Constitutional Court. The MKP expressed hope that this legal precedent will work in their favor, particularly in resolving disputes where the party was affected by the submission and acceptance of candidates.
