South Africa’s Ruling Party Sues Independent Electoral Body and a Rival Political Party
A large group of student journalists holding banners and flags during a protest for political accountability in Nigeria.
The ANC says the new uMkhonto weSizwe (Spear of the Nation) party did not meet registration criteria in September. The case opened on Tuesday before the electoral court in Bloemfontein, in the centre of the country. The new party, also known as MK and led by ex-South African president and former ANC leader Jacob Zuma, could be deregistered and unable to contest the May 29 national elections. MK officials said they would not accept being disqualified, with one even threatening “civil war”. MK sowed trouble within the ANC by using the name of its now-disbanded military wing, which had been founded by Nelson Mandela. The ANC is challenging the use of the name uMkhonto weSizwe and a logo that bears a striking resemblance to that of its former military branch in separate legal proceedings over copyright infringement.
SOURCE: AFRICA NEWS