MK Party creates national team to direct South African coalition talks

South Africa's uMkhonto weSizwe Party has created a centralised negotiating committee to direct municipal coalition discussions, stressing that it will refuse to abandon its core agenda simply to gain power.

The party secured approximately 10 percent of the vote in the municipal polls held on November 4, according to party figures. The result marks its first municipal campaign since launching less than two years ago.

Addressing supporters, party president Jacob Zuma framed the municipal vote within South Africa's broader historical quest for liberation. He remarked that generations had endured oppression and argued that voters had used the ballot to demand genuine transformation and reclaim their freedom.

To manage upcoming municipal partnerships, the organisation formed a National Negotiations Team that includes deputy presidents and other top leaders. This central panel will review potential partners, evaluate policy alignment, and determine governance power-sharing across all municipal councils.

Local, regional, and provincial branches are strictly prohibited from holding independent talks or concluding pacts without direct national clearance. Final sign-off on any governing agreement remains solely with the party presidency. Under the party's guidelines, any governing accord must include clear performance benchmarks, oversight provisions, and be completed within the first 100 days of a council's inaugural sitting.

Party official Dali Mpofu stated that while the organisation intends to govern to honour its electoral mandate, it is prepared to remain in opposition rather than sacrifice its principles. He noted that although the Democratic Alliance has ruled out working with the party, talks would proceed with organizations that share compatible political views.

The leadership also voiced frustration with election administration. Party official Mxolisi Mphakathi said leaders are currently collecting and evaluating reports from polling agents to verify potential irregularities before pursuing formal remedies.

Mpofu highlighted that more than 60 formal complaints had been submitted regarding eThekwini alone. He criticised how the Electoral Commission of South Africa processed these objections and handled the timetable for final declarations, indicating that the party may turn to the Electoral Court if key grievances remain unanswered.