For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Shomolekae.

Making headlines: MK party files court application to stop new parliament from convening; FW de Klerk Foundation launches petition as it calls for govt of constitutional unity; And, Malawi vice president Chilima killed in plane crash

 

MK party files court application to stop new parliament from convening

Former president Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto we Sizwe party has applied to the country's top court to block the newly elected parliament from sitting this week on the grounds that the May 29 vote was marred by fraud, it said today.

The National Assembly is due to convene on Friday for lawmakers to swear the oath of office and elect their speaker, deputy speaker and the country's president.

The challenge from MK comes at a time when South Africa is facing a level of political uncertainty unseen in 30 years of democracy, with no clarity as to who will govern the country when the electoral dust settles.

The African National Congress, which has been in power since the end of apartheid, lost its majority but remains the biggest party, and is now negotiating with a range of other parties with diametrically opposed policy aspirations.

MK came a surprisingly strong third, winning 14.6% of the vote which translates into 58 seats in the 400-seat chamber, but despite its success it has alleged vote-rigging took place and threatened to boycott the new parliament.

 

 

FW de Klerk Foundation launches petition as it calls for govt of constitutional unity

The FW de Klerk Foundation wants citizens to sign its 'South Africa First!' petition, calling for the establishment a government of constitutional unity or coalition government that will put South Africa first.

The petition is being introduced amid ongoing coalition talks amongst political parties, while South Africa’s next President must be elected on Friday.

After losing its outright majority at the polls last month, the African National Congress has invited other political parties to form a national unity government.

The party has since announced that it has held constructive engagements with delegations from the Inkatha Freedom Party, Economic Freedom Fighters, Democratic Alliance, the National Freedom Party and the Patriotic Alliance.

FW de Klerk Foundation explained that such a government must create a conducive environment for local and foreign direct investment and increase tax revenue to overcome the triple threats of poverty, unemployment and inequality.

 

 

And, Malawi vice president Chilima killed in plane crash

Malawi's Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine other people were killed when the military plane they were traveling on crashed, President Lazarus Chakwera said today.

The aircraft carrying Chilima, who was seen as a potential candidate in next year's presidential election, went missing yesterday.

The plane left the capital Lilongwe at 09:17 am yesterday but was unable to land at Mzuzu airport as scheduled at 10:02 am due to poor visibility.

It was ordered to return to Lilongwe but went off the radar and aviation authorities could not make contact with it.

Chakwera said all passengers on board were killed on impact and that the military was bringing their remains back to the capital.

 

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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