By Celani Sikhakhane
Jacob Zuma’s MK party has admitted to being short of cash while some members claimed the party was battling to pay staff salaries.
Party insiders say lack of funding was behind the weekly hiring and firing of the party’s top executive members.
In the runup to the elections, Zuma promised that members of the party’s top executive will be paid the same amount as members of parliament.
He said no member of the MK top executive will be sent to parliament as they would receive packages as high as R1.3-million.
But a delay in the release of the party funding allocation by the IEC has left the party facing cash flow problems and battling to run its monthly payrolls.
Sources in the party say they have not received any salaries so far.
Recently, Zuma fired the MK’s chief of staff and deputy general secretary Thulani Shongwe “because the party is facing financial difficulties”.
“I have decided to release you from your duties because the party is facing financial difficulties and lacks resources. From now on, you will only be an ordinary member of our organisation,” Zuma said in a letter to Shongwe.
Shongwe was fired along with Arthur Zwane, who was dismissed as general secretary for the second time.
On Sunday, Zuma appointed Thabisile Khumalo as the new chief administration officer, responsible for daily operations and implementing policy.
He also brought back Dr Sifiso Maseko as general secretary to replace Zwane.
Several former MK members, speaking off the record, said most of the MK officials were volunteers and were not getting paid because Zuma was waiting for the IEC party funding to come through.
Even though most of the 58 MK MPs in parliament are far more junior than executive members, they are earning over R100,000 a month.
Scrolla.Africa reported last week that paranoia and a fear that spies linked to the ANC could still sabotage the Umkhonto Wesizwe party have forced party leaders to decide against holding an elective conference.
This together with uncertainty about how MK will manage to pay its officials have cast a cloud over the party’s management
Pictured above: MK party leader Jacob Zuma and Thulani Shongwe, who was fired as deputy secretary general and chief of staff.
Source: MK
