Zuma accuses IEC of wanting to disenfranchise millions of people
Earlier this month, the commission upheld an objection to Zuma’s candidacy and disqualified him from standing for legislative seats in upcoming general elections.
President Jacob Zuma in Parliament. Picture: AFP
JOHANNESBURG - Lawyers for former president Jacob Zuma have accused the IEC (Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa) of wanting to disenfranchise millions of people who want to choose their leader via the newly formed Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) Party.
Earlier this month, the commission upheld an objection to Zuma’s candidacy and disqualified him from standing for legislative seats in upcoming general elections.
This was based on Zuma’s 15-month sentence for being in contempt of court in 2021. However, Zuma has approached the Electoral Court to challenge this.
READ: IEC disqualifies Zuma from standing as a candidate in upcoming elections
Section 47 of the Constitution bars Zuma from being a member of Parliament due to his 15-month prison sentence.
The law stipulates that anyone who is convicted of an offence and sentenced to more than 12 months without an option of a fine is disqualified for five years after the sentence is completed.
Zuma only served three months before receiving presidential remission, and his lawyer Advocate Dali Mpofu has argued that this means Section 27 does not apply to him.
He said whatever his initial sentence was, the ultimate sentence served is what should be considered.
But the full bench of judges has pointed out that the remission does not affect the sentence and the term that would be reflected in the former president’s records.