The MK Party (uMkhonto we Sizwe Party) has issued a strong rebuttal after former Police Minister Bheki Cele claimed in Parliament that the party is connected to suspected criminals. According to Cele, the Party was allegedly being funded by convicted diamond-dealer Louis Liebenberg, who is behind bars in connection with an alleged R4 billion investment fraud scheme. The MK Party has dismissed these allegations as baseless, defamatory, and aimed at undermining their legitimacy.
In a public statement, the MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndlela categorically rejected the claims of funding from Liebenberg, stating:
“The uMkhonto weSizwe Party categorically rejects the false and defamatory statements made at the Ad Hoc Committee hearings … regarding alleged funding of the party by Louis Leibenberg.”
The statement insists the organisation has no link to Liebenberg and called the testimonies by Cele “reckless and irresponsible.
The allegations emerged during hearings by Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee, where Bheki Cele stated that investigations showed the MK Party’s connection to suspected criminal elements through alleged funding arrangements. The party leadership viewed this as a politically motivated attack, aimed at discrediting them ahead of upcoming electoral efforts.
MK Party’s Position and Reaction
The MK Party continues to maintain it is entirely self-funded through legitimate means, primarily via membership contributions and lawful donations. Ndlela emphasised that the party welcomes full transparency and accountability, and invites authorities to verify their records. They underscored commitment to operating with integrity, arguing that the accusations threaten their public image and undermine their capacity to participate fully in South Africa’s democratic processes.
These allegations threaten multiple dimensions of the MK Party’s agenda:
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Credibility: Being tied to criminal funding would severely damage the party’s standing.
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Electoral prospects: As a rising force in South African politics, the party cannot afford reputational damage.
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Legal and regulatory risk: If funding irregularities were proven, the party could face investigation, sanction or deregistration.
Hence the MK Party’s forceful denial and call for clarity.
The MK Party’s emergence has already shifted the political landscape. According to reputable sources, the party formally launched its constitution in October 2024, marking its intent to challenge existing political formations and establish itself as a serious contender. TimesLIVE+2Encyclopedia Britannica+2 The recent allegations risk overshadowing these ambitions and may become a distraction from their core message of social justice and economic transformation.
Given the heightened scrutiny of political party funding in South Africa, the MK Party’s stance that it is cleanly funded is a crucial part of its defence. Observers note that many parties face questions about the origins of their funds, and the MK Party’s insistence on openness is intended to reassure both members and the public.
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Investigations: If credible leads exist, the relevant authorities may investigate the funding streams of the MK Party and Liebenberg’s activities.
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Parliamentary follow-up: The Ad Hoc Committee may request further evidence, and the Party may appear before the committee to clarify.
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Media and public scrutiny: The narrative will stay in the public eye, and the MK Party will likely do more public engagement to counter the damage.
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Internal mobilisation: To maintain momentum, the MK Party will need to solidify its base, emphasise its policy agenda, and demonstrate institutional robustness.
In sum, the Party has firmly countered Bheki Cele’s allegations of criminal-linked funding by Louis Liebenberg. It has rejected the claims as false and defamatory, reaffirmed that it has no connections with Liebenberg, and warned that such accusations undermine democratic participation. As the party moves forward, maintaining transparency, credibility and clarity around its funding will be key to preserving the trust of its supporters and the wider South African electorate.
If you like, I can pull in direct quotes from the parliamentary transcript or examine the legal standing of the MK Party’s funding disclosures.
