WATCH | uMkhonto weSizwe Party confident of EC upset

Supporters of the uMkhonto WeSizwe party (MKP) gather during the South African elections, in Cato Ridge, on May 29.
Supporters of the uMkhonto WeSizwe party (MKP) gather during the South African elections, in Cato Ridge, on May 29.
Image: ROGAN WARD

New kids of the block – uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) – are confident that by close of counting they will be at the top party in the Eastern Cape.

Provincial elections head Andiswa Nika, speaking on the sidelines at the results operations centre in East London on Wednesday, said the party’s performance was impressive.

The party is currently in the top five in the province, trailing behind the ANC, DA, EFF AND UDM. A total of votes counted stands at just above 13% of the total votes – 172, 283 – by 9.30am.

Nika said: “The MK party is a new kid on the block. We are happy about what I’m seeing right now. The party had so many challenges including ubaba [Jacob Zuma] going to courts and we nearly deregistered…

“We were in courts left right and centre. If it wasn’t the logo, it was the name of the party or the spear itself, but all of that confusion I’m seeing the party at top five,” Nika said.

She attributed the performance to the party members who she said campaigned without resources.

“This tells you people believe in the MK. It’s still early stage. The numbers are still coming. We expect more. I’m in shock and surprise. At some point I doubted we will do well, but when I look at the numbers I’m a very happy person.”

By the end of counting Nika said they will have topple the ANC on the number one spot.

“We will be sitting at number one. If something happens then at least number two, but what I can assure you is that we will remain at top five.”

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