The Cape Town Magistrate’s Court has granted bail to MK Party Chief Whip Mmabatho Mokoena-Zondi following her arrest in an alleged R233,000 salary fraud case.
Image: Facebook/MK Party
uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) Chief Whip Mmabatho Mokoena-Zondi was reportedly granted bail of R30,000 in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court in connection with an alleged R233,000 salary fraud scheme. The case was postponed to June 18.
The 46-year-old made her first court appearance on Thursday after she was arrested by the Hawks. She was served with a warrant of arrest in connection with alleged fraudulent activity.
According to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), her arrest is linked to alleged fraudulent activity.
Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani said: “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 costs of the President (Jacob Zuma) of the same party.”
Hani said they were allegedly forced to pay 50% to 60% of their salaries.
“In total, the suspect defrauded the members of approximately R233,317.99.”
Earlier, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) said it had acknowledged the arrest of Mokoena-Zondi, who was arrested by the Hawks.
“The uMkhonto weSizwe Party ("MK Party") acknowledges the charging of its Chief Whip in the National Assembly, Ms Mmabatho Mokoena-Zondi, and notes that she has voluntarily presented herself to law enforcement authorities.
“The MK Party reaffirms its commitment to constitutionalism and the rule of law,” said Sifiso Mahlangu, MK Party national spokesperson.
The party said it was studying the situation and would release an official statement on Thursday afternoon.
Mokoena-Zondi became a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly in February 2026.
She was appointed as the party’s Chief Whip, replacing Colleen Makhubele, who was removed in January. Makhubele has since left the MK Party to join talk radio station Power FM as a presenter.
Mokoena-Zondi, who previously served as NCOP chief whip, had been appointed acting chief whip to oversee caucus governance and liaise with the Speaker’s Office.
She is one of three MK Party MPs appointed to serve on the Impeachment Committee regarding President Cyril Ramaphosa’s conduct in the Phala Phala saga.
Other party members who will serve on the committee include deputy president and parliamentary leader John Hlophe, and Khanyisile Litchfield-Tshabalala.
IOL