The South African police in Cape Town said they were investigating if the Umkhonto we Sizwe (Mk) party led by Jacob Zuma forged supporters’ signatures to register for the general elections.
The latest investigation into the MK Party came after City Press, a national newspaper reported that a former party official told police there was an elaborate scheme to forge some of the 15,000 signatures required for parties by the Electoral Commission of South Africa.
On Monday, the Independent Electoral Commission called for a “speedy” probe.
Citing the MK Party spokesperson, local news outlet IOL reported Tuesday that the group welcomed the police investigation.
The spokesperson described the author of the accusations as a party volunteer who became disgruntled after he was rejected from the party’s parliamentary list.
Former president Jacob Zuma remains popular in some parts of the country.
In a shock move last December, Jacob Zuma announced he would not back the ruling ANC through which he was elected South Africa’s president twice.
27 million South Africans are registered to vote.
This year’s general elections are expected to be one of the country’s most fiercely contested polls.
