Zuma's claim of returning to Parliament nothing more than a campaign strategy - analysts
The Constitution clearly states that no person may hold office as president for more than two terms. Zuma has already served his two terms.
Former President Jacob Zuma addresses members of the media under the banner of new party uMkhontho We Sizwe on 16 December 2023. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - Analysts said former President Jacob Zuma’s claim that he’ll return to the Union Buildings is nothing more than an election campaign strategy, but they have also warned that everyone should be worried about his continuous attacks on constitutional institutions.
The Constitution clearly states that no person may hold office as president for more than two terms. Zuma has already served his two terms.
It also makes no pronouncement on whether these need to be consecutive or not.
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The 81-year-old's 2021 15-month jail sentence for being in contempt of the apex court also disqualifies him from becoming a member of Parliament, which is the path towards being elected president.
While campaigning for the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, Zuma has called into question the voting process, the role of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), and the powers of traditional leaders, which he says need to have more executive authority than the Roman-Dutch law.
Zuma’s disinformation campaign has seen him poking holes in the very processes that saw him occupying the highest office in the land, twice.
He has criticised the right to citizens keeping their votes a secret, and he has also suggested the counting of votes, which takes place publicly and before party agents is also shrouded in mystery.
Lawson Naidoo from the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution said the former president is well aware of what he is doing.
“It’s an irresponsible statement given that the IEC is globally renowned for having conducted free and fair elections and has been very good at ensuring we have free and fair elections.”
Meanwhile, Judges Matter’s Mbekezeli Benjamin said attacks on constitutional institutions are concerning.
“That is playing on people’s genuine anger about their conditions and is trying to make them not trust state institutions.”
Zuma is set to take his campaign to Limpopo. He was a no-show for the first part of his programme on Friday after being rejected by the families of deceased MK veterans.