Electoral Court validates Zuma's MK Party candidacy
The court has ruled that Zuma’s appeal succeeds and the IEC’s decision should be set aside.
Former President Jacob Zuma addresses members of the media under the banner of new party uMkhontho weSizwe on 16 December 2023. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/ Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - Former president Jacob Zuma has won his bid against the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), making him eligible to contest the elections as a candidate for his uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party.
The electoral court gave the order in favour of Zuma on Tuesday afternoon.
The former president approached the court to appeal a decision in which he was disqualified from standing for public office.
The IEC decided to uphold an objection that was made against the president’s candidacy.
The IEC’s decision meant Zuma could not be a candidate for the MK Party for the upcoming elections nor occupy a seat in Parliament should the party garner the required votes.
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In a brief order, the Electoral Court ruled Zuma’s appeal successful and set aside the IEC’s initial decision.
This means Zuma will remain on the MK Party list as its candidate.
The court also ordered that the IEC’s decision to uphold the objection to the former president’s candidacy should be replaced with the words “the objection is hereby dismissed”.
Ultimately – this ruling means the former president could make a return to the National Assembly.
MK PARTY SAYS IT ALWAYS KNEW IT HAD A STRONG CASE
The MK Party it’s ecstatic about the Electoral Court ruling in favour of Zuma.
The IEC had upheld an objection against the former president’s candidacy over Section 47 (1e) of the Constitution.
But the MK Party’s Nhlamulo Ndhlela said they always knew this was incorrect.
“We’ve also always said that the IEC in its approach was incorrect and that they were encroaching and overreaching on legislation, and I’ve always said that, and no one believed me.”