By Zukile Majova
Political Editor
The Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party and its leader, Jacob Zuma, have until Thursday to oppose the IEC’s appeal before the Constitutional Court of the Electoral Court’s decision to allow the former president to contest the elections.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa, which has started printing election ballot papers, said it was not contesting Zuma’s eligibility to run in the elections.
It was merely seeking legal clarity on how a person with a criminal record can be allowed to contest the election and potentially become a Member of Parliament.
The Constitutional Court said the Deputy Chief Justice had issued a directive that the “respondents (MK party and Zuma and others) that are opposing the application must file answering affidavits on or before Thursday, 25 April 2024”.
The IEC had earlier ruled that Zuma could not stand as a candidate because it had received an objection based on his 15-month conviction for contempt of court.
MK took the matter to the Electoral Court, which found Zuma was eligible to contest as leader of the party but did not provide a detailed ruling.
With the election set for 29 May, the IEC appealed the Electoral Court ruling.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has voiced his support for the IEC and called on South Africans not to doubt the integrity of the commission.
“The IEC is an independent entity of our state and we’ve been very proud of the work that has been done by the IEC over the years, including now.
“The IEC can consider after very carefully weighing up the various options – and with this case, I do believe they’ve done precisely that.
“The decision is based, as I heard and understood it, on bringing clarity to the law so that the Constitutional Court, which is the entity that should interpret our laws, brings clarity once and for all,” said Ramaphosa.
Pictured above: Jacob Zuma.
Source: X
