Despite recent allegations by a breakaway group that the African Transformation Movement (ATM) was fraudulently registered with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) the party, on Thursday, welcomed new members.

The ATM held a press conference on Johannesburg where it claimed it was the only party continuously welcoming new members, just 14 days before the 2019 national election. The news members were previously affiliated with the Congress of the People (Cope) and Agang SA.

Addressing a packed venue full of the party supporters, ATM leader, Vuyolwethu Zungula said the recent allegations against the party, of fraudulent registration, were an attempt to stop the party from contesting the election.

He assured his supporters that the IEC had confirmed that his party would be on the ballot paper, come May 8.

Among the previous members of Agang SA who were inducted into the ATM were former Agang SA leader and former Department of Justice and Constitutional Affairs deputy director-general Mike Tshishonga.

In an exclusive interview with Polity Tshishonga said he had finally found a home with the ATM. He said the party not only preached about peace but added that it also practiced it.

“It is said that many politicians love peace but they are unable to show us. The ATM is the only movement that cares,” he said.

Although President Cyril Ramaphosa was trying to restore the country, Tshishonga said the African National Congress (ANC) could not be trusted anymore. He quoted famed scientist Albert Einstein, saying “we cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them”.

He said he had finally seen the light and added it was high time that South Africans voted with their conscience and not because a party was once loved by their families.

“All political parties seem to have forgotten about servants. No more stomach politics. Servants first. You account to the people who appoint you, not the party. People who are born asleep, eat asleep and unfortunately they die asleep. We must be awake. The bible from which we get the cue says you must guard your heart with all the diligence. Get out of sleep because you can’t guard while you are sleeping,” he preached.

He admitted that he once loved the ruling party but said it was no longer a credible movement.

Former Cope NEC member Princess Manzana said joining the ATM with fellow Cope members was part of exercising their democratic right.

“We have high hopes for the ATM. We will listen to the people. We will serve the people. If people want houses, we won’t give them toilets. As servants we will give people what they want,’’ she promised.