Cape Town – The chief whip of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, Mmabatho Nthabiseng Mokoena-Zondi, has been arrested in Cape Town on charges of fraud and extortion.
According to Western Cape police spokesperson Zinzi Hani, Mokoena-Zondi allegedly recruited four individuals as parliamentary researchers between August and December 2024 and then demanded that they pay between 50% and 60% of their salaries each month.
“It is alleged that during August 2024 to December 2024, the suspect headhunted and recruited four individuals into the party as researchers, and during their employment, she demanded payments under the pretext that it was for the legal cost of the president of the same party.
MK Party Chief Whip, Mmabatho Nthabiseng Mokoena-Zondi, will appear in court today. https://t.co/nIiFIi0UCM pic.twitter.com/xt9Qk9kXc1
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) May 28, 2026
“They were forced to pay fifty to sixty percent of their salaries. In total, the suspect defrauded the members of approximately R233 317.99,” said the police.
[MEDIA STATEMENT]:
MK PARTY NOTES THE CHARGING OF ITS CHIEF WHIP MS. MMABATHO MOKOENA -ZONDI pic.twitter.com/PxxDOl5q5V
— uMkhonto WeSizwe Party (Official) (@MkhontoweSizwex) May 28, 2026
Mokoena-Zondi is expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
She was appointed MK Party chief whip in February, replacing Colleen Makhubele.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
