Zuma's MK party MPs finally sworn in to S. African parliament

Cape Town. The 58 MPs from South African former president Jacob Zuma's MK party, elected in May only to boycott the first session of the new National Assembly, were finally sworn in on Tuesday.

The group -- some clad, Zulu-style, in animal skins over their clothing -- triumphantly sang anti-apartheid era songs during a midday ceremony in Cape Town which was broadcast live on television.

The MPs included one of Zuma's daughters, Duduzile Zuma.

"We, as the MK, are here to serve poor people -- black and white," the party's parliamentary group leader John Hlophe told reporters.

South Africa held legislative elections on May 29, when the African National Congress (ANC) lost its absolute majority for the first time since it came to power at the end of apartheid three decades ago.

It won 40 percent of the vote in the polls, in which the country's socio-economic woes were a major topic.

Even so, the ANC retains the largest contingent of lawmakers with 159 of the 400 seats in the chamber.

Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party is a small, radical movement created only a few months before the election.

But its 58 seats have turned it into the third political force in the country behind the largest opposition party, the centrist Democratic Alliance (DA), which won 87 seats.

The new parliament met for the first time earlier this month, electing 71-year-old President Cyril Ramaphosa to a second term.

Ramaphosa, an ANC veteran, immediately called for a government of national unity.

MK deputies boycotted the first parliamentary session, rejecting the idea of joining an ANC-led coalition and contesting the election results.

Ten days later, a new session was organised on Tuesday to swear in the MK contingent.

Negotiations continue on the formation of a government, amid reported tensions between the ANC and the DA.

Media said the DA was demanding around 10 positions in a 30-strong cabinet while the ANC is only ready to concede around five.