Mmabatho Mokoena-Zondi, Chief Whip of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), has been arrested and appeared briefly in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court facing charges of fraud and extortion.
According to Zinzi Hani, spokesperson for the Hawks in the Western Cape, Mokoena-Zondi was arrested this morning. She is accused of allegedly deducting up to 60% of the salaries of researchers employed by the MK Party. The allegations state that she recruited these individuals and illegally docked their pay, claiming the funds would contribute to a fund to assist with legal fees for party president Jacob Zuma.
The court matter was stood down after her attorney, Barnabas Xulu, was unable to present a Fidelity Fund Certificate required to appear in court, despite asserting he was fully compliant with the Legal Practice Council. Xulu has since withdrawn as her legal representative and is expected to be replaced. It has also emerged that the state does not intend to oppose bail.
The MK Party issued a brief statement confirming that its Chief Whip had handed herself over to police and appeared in court, indicating a more detailed response would follow.
Political analyst Khanya Vilakazi commented on the potential impact of the charges, noting the timing is significant as the country approaches local government elections later this year. Vilakazi suggested opposition parties could use the controversy as a tactical element against the MK Party’s campaign.
Addressing the core allegation, Vilakazi stated that deducting 60% of an employee’s salary raises serious concerns, particularly as political party researchers are typically not highly remunerated compared to members of parliament. The analyst emphasized that the critical question is whether such deductions were officially communicated and agreed upon when the researchers were employed, and if the action was authorized by a higher party structure. If no such instruction existed, Vilakazi noted, Mokoena-Zondi would likely face the legal consequences individually, as acting on one’s own accord to deduct salaries in this manner would be illegal.
Vilakazi acknowledged that while some political parties have formalized salary levies to fund party activities, an isolated incident of this nature should ideally be addressed through internal party processes, alongside any criminal proceedings.
The role of Chief Whip is a senior parliamentary position responsible for leading the party’s caucus. Vilakazi observed that having a Chief Whip facing serious criminal charges tarnishes the party’s reputation, though noted that personnel adjustments within parliamentary caucuses are possible.
This development follows recent internal changes within the MK Party, including the dismissal of its national spokesperson, Engela, last week. That dismissal reportedly stemmed from a statement issued in the presence of the party’s top leadership, including President Zuma, who subsequently stated they had no prior knowledge of its contents.
Reflecting on the party’s internal dynamics, Vilakazi suggested that the MK Party, which is less than three years old and comprises many members who previously belonged to other political parties, has avoided holding internal elections—a move that maintains stability heading into an electoral period. However, the analyst also noted that frequent changes in personnel could be perceived as a strategy to maintain tight control and loyalty within the party structure, drawing a parallel to previous adjustments made to the party’s parliamentary list submitted to the Electoral Commission.
The situation remains developing as the MK Party is expected to provide a fuller statement on the matter.
