Makhosi Khoza accepts ‘defeat graciously’

Dr Makhosi Khoza took to Facebook early on Friday morning to state that she and the African Democratic Change (ADeC) “graciously” accept defeat at the polls.

Khoza further highlighted that “complaining” about the election results following nationwide voting on Wednesday “is not going to help anymore”.

This after on Thursday a number of smaller parties vowed to challenge election results.

The parties raised concerns about allegations of double voting after certain voters claimed the indelible ink used to mark thumbs was coming off easier than it should. This prompted these parties to take legal actions against the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

These parties include the Black First Land First (BLF), the African Content Movement (ACM), the Socialist Revolutionary Workers’ Party (SRWP), the Land Party, the APC, Eco-Forum, Woman Forward, Patriotic Alliance, and the African Transformation Movement (ATM).

Khoza said despite the ADeC’s poor poll performance, she remained committed to establishing the party’s ground structures.

“Our leadership has to accept that we did not do enough work on the ground,” she wrote on Facebook.

Khoza added that she would focus on her education and businesses.

Khoza left the governing party after a very public squabble about the ANC’s lack of action over corruption and her dislike of former president Jacob Zuma. She started her own political party – the ADeC – and then left to work with civil rights organisation Outa. She resigned from Outa this year to return to ADeC.

At around midday Friday, Khoza’s party had managed to garner 5,626 of the votes (0.04%) with 81.49% of the voting districts completed nationally.

The IEC is expected to announce the final results on Saturday, May 11, at around 12 pm.

For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.