Former MK Party MP France Bongani Mfiki, on the right, during a plenary session in the National Assembly. The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has issued an ultimatum to three former MPs from the MK Party to move from subsidised parliamentary villages or face eviction proceedings. Former MPs Garatwe Agnes Mogotsi, France Bongani Mfiki, and Nomade Grace Mgwebi lost their parliamentary seats just three months after being sworn in.
The trio, part of a group of 10 MPs, contested their removal in court in 2024, but their application was dismissed with costs by the Western Cape High Court. Following their dismissal, the three MPs have remained in residences at Acacia Park, Pelican Park, and Laboria Park – a decision that has raised concerns about their continued occupancy. The issue of three MPs came to light after Freedom Front Plus MP Philip van Staden asked parliamentary questions to Minister Dean Macpherson on whether any persons other than those who qualify for parliamentary accommodation lived in the parliamentary villages.
The 666 residential units at the parliamentary villages accommodate MPs, sessional officials, support staff to disabled MPs, party political and parliamentary staff, and Department of Public Works and Infrastructure officials performing standby duties. MPs are ordinarily given a month to move out of their parliamentary accommodation when they no longer serve as public representatives. Macpherson named Mogotsi, Mgwebi, and Mfiki, as well as an official of the Transport Department, as another person not qualifying for parliamentary accommodation. Department spokesperson Lennox Mabaso said the former MPs were allocated residences in line with the benefits to which all elected public representatives are entitled.
