The official results from national elections last month just don’t add up for Mbalenhle Mthethwa, a loyal adherent of a new political party led by Jacob Zuma, South Africa’s former president.
“The elections were not free and fair,” she said, echoing the stolen-election narrative advanced by Mr. Zuma.
Ms. Mthethwa, a 38-year-old chef, lives in a township near the coastal city of Durban and has been out of work for the past four years.
Mr. Zuma, 82, whose nine years as president were marred by allegations of corruption and looting of state coffers, has taken a page from the playbook of populist leaders of recent years — notably in the United States and Brazil.
Vote-rigging claims in other nations have resulted in chaos, and South Africans will get a first look at how things might unfold on Friday, with Mr. Zuma’s party, uMkhonto weSizwe, known as M.K., vowing to boycott the first sitting of the newly elected Parliament.
Persons:
Mbalenhle Mthethwa, Jacob Zuma, South, “, ”, Zuma, Mthethwa, Mr, uMkhonto weSizwe
Organizations:
Mr
Locations:
Durban, United States, Brazil