MKP and ATM will not contest elections jointly
A formal partnership between the uMkhonto we Sizwe Party and the African Transformation Movement, announced in March, will not proceed. ATM secretary general, Thandisizwe Khukula, announced that the party would be contesting elections on its own. There has been a perception that MKP leader Jacon Zuma was involved in the formation of the ATM, but Khukhula said that the ATM grew out of church structures. “Zuma is not the father of the ATM,” he said. Attempts to negotiate a deal between the two parties had not been successful.
Charges against Khumalo dropped
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has withdrawn charges against Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, Brigadier Dineo Mokwele, Major-General Nozipho Madondo and their co-accused, citing an incomplete investigation and insufficient evidence. National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Andy Mothibi ruled that the case cannot be reinstated without his written approval. If the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) later recommends prosecution, the officials will first have an opportunity to respond. The decision follows a disputed failed arrest attempt, complaints about IDAC’s handling of the investigation, and the resignation of former IDAC head Andrea Johnson.
Berlin terrorist had been in custody weeks earlier
Abdul Ballout, the assailant who attacked a gay pride event in Berlin on Saturday – described by officials as a terrorist incident – had been sentenced in May to serve a year and ten months for “preparing a serious act of violence endangering the state”. The sentence was not carried out while prosecutors appealed for a longer sentence. Ballout had consequently been under the supervision of a probation officer. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the decision as “incomprehensible”. These revelations have provoked public anger and debate about whether Germany’s laws on terrorism are adequate.
Suspects arrested for attempted murder of MKP officials
Political Killings Task Team (PKTT)in KwaZulu-Natal has arrested a suspect in the attempted murder of uMkhonto we Sizwe District Secretary in the Ilembe area, Zanele Mbhamali and her husband on the night of 23 June. The suspect, Velile Ntshangase from Mahlabathini, has appeared in court and been charged with two counts of attempted murder. A second suspect in the case had been murdered on 29 June.
[Sources: News24, IOL, BBC, The Citizen]