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Police in South Africa are looking into whether the MK Party, the newly established political party of former President Jacob Zuma, used forged signatures from supporters to register for the national elections that are scheduled for next month.
The charges of a former party official, which were published by a national newspaper, implying a complex plot to falsify some of the 15,000 signatures needed for party registration, prompted the most current investigation into the MK Party's operations.
National Police Commissioner Gen. Fannie Masemola confirmed the opening of an investigation in Cape Town, the purported location of the forgery, in response to the Independent Electoral Commission's demands for an investigation.
However, Zuma’s eligibility to stand as a parliamentary candidate was called into question due to his criminal conviction for contempt of court and subsequent imprisonment in 2021. Despite a successful appeal, a final ruling from the Constitutional Court is pending next month.
Zuma made headlines in December when he announced his affiliation with the MK Party and his intention to campaign against the ANC, the party he led from 2007 to 2017.
Forced to resign by the ANC amid corruption allegations, Zuma continues to face legal battles, including charges of corruption dating back several years.
Despite his legal entanglements, Zuma remains influential in certain regions of South Africa, and his MK Party is anticipated to draw support away from the ANC if permitted to participate in the elections.
However, the party risks disqualification should the forgery allegations prove true, further adding complexity to an already contentious electoral landscape.
