Unlikely a potential IEC appeal of Zuma candidacy ruling will be finalised before polls - legal expert

JOHANNESBURG – A legal expert said that even if the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) were to challenge a ruling overturning its decision to disqualify Jacob Zuma's candidacy to contest the elections, it's unlikely that it will be finalised before the country heads to the polls.

The former president is currently the number one candidate on the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party's list.

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The IEC upheld an appeal to his candidacy because he was sentenced to 15 months behind bars for contempt of court in 2021.

But Zuma and the MK Party then turned to the Electoral Court, which on Tuesday ruled in their favour, setting aside the IEC's decision.

Reasons for the ruling have not yet been provided, however, the IEC said it would be requesting them so that it can "chart a way forward".

Dr Llewelyn Curlewis said it’s possible to appeal the ruling handed down once the reasons were provided.

"Any decision can be appealed up to the apex court, which is the Constitutional Court."

However, Curlewis said there were other things to consider.

"The question that must be posed and that will be posed is: Is it so urgent that the Constitutional Court, ultimately and maybe the Supreme Court of Appeal before we get to the Constitutional Court, needs to be required to give a judgment and set everything else aside purely to make a decision on this matter? I doubt it."

Curlewis said he doesn’t believe there’s enough time left to finalise this issue before the end of May.