Jacob Zuma Wins Appeal To Run In General Election
Former South African president Jacob Zuma, who is fronting uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), a new opposition party, has been given the green light to run in the country’s general elections slated for 29 May 2024.
The electoral court on Tuesday, 09 April ruled that Zuma can stand in the upcoming general election, overturning the earlier ruling by electoral authorities that barred him due to a previous conviction. It did not explain how the verdict was reached.
Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) had earlier excluded Zuma from the contest following his 2021 conviction and jailing for contempt of court.
The IEC had barred Zuma in terms of Section 47(1)(e) of the Constitution – which states that any person who is convicted of an offence and sentenced to more than 12 months imprisonment without the option of a fine is ineligible to stand for public office.
Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt of court after refusing to testify before the State Capture Commission.
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However, Zuma’s lawyer, Advocate Dali Mpofu argued the sentence did not disqualify Zuma as it followed civil rather than criminal proceedings.
He further stated that the remission of sentence granted to Zuma by President Cyril Ramaphosa means that the ultimate sentence meted out against him is three months.
The MK party is considered “a dark horse” in the election race and is expected to reduce the vote share of the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
This could result in the ANC’s share of the vote falling below 50 per cent. This will force the ANC to seek coalition partners to remain in power.
Meanwhile, the IEC has requested that the Electoral Court hand down the reasons that led to the order in which it dismissed the objection made against Zuma.
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