🇿🇦South AfricaSouthern Africa
MK party suspends chief whip Mokoena-Zondi amid corruption probe
via The Citizen2 min read
The MK party has suspended its chief whip, Mmabatho Mokoena-Zondi, with immediate effect, pending an internal investigation into corruption allegations. This decision followed a meeting involving the MK party's president, Jacob Zuma, and national party officials. Mokoena-Zondi has been instructed to surrender all party documents, records, assets, and related materials. Her suspension comes after her arrest last week and subsequent appearance in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court on fraud and extortion charges. She was released on R30,000 bail, and her case was postponed to June 18. Police spokesperson Zinzi Hani stated that Mokoena-Zondi allegedly demanded a portion of parliamentary staff salaries to retain their positions. It is further alleged that from August 2024 to December 2024, she recruited four individuals as researchers and then demanded 50% to 60% of their salaries, claiming the funds were for the legal costs of the party president. The total alleged fraud amounts to approximately R233,317.99. Media reports indicate Mokoena-Zondi claimed in an affidavit that the money collected was a "voluntary contribution" and a "gesture of appreciation" for the upkeep of the party's Nkandla headquarters. Philasande Mkhize has been appointed as the new Chief Whip. Separately, the MK party clarified that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, Jacob Zuma's daughter, holds no official position or responsibility within the party, serving only as an ordinary member without authority.
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