Cape Town — The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party has called on Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) commissioner, Janet Love, to step down after the Electoral Court ruling in favour of former president, Jacob Zuma.
The electoral court ruled that Zuma won his court bid after he launched a successful appeal against the decision to suspend him from this year’s elections, set to take place on 29 May.
The IEC upheld an objection against the former president’s candidacy according to Section 47 1E of the constitution, but the court ruled that the objection should have been dismissed.
According to EWN, Zuma’s lawyers argued bias that the commission had prejudged Zuma’s eligibility for election candidacy due to prior views expressed by Love.
MK leader, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, said the ruling was in favour of the agreement with their argument and he called for Love to step down to ensure the IEC was beyond reproach.
The Electoral Court has ruled that Jacob Zuma can run for a seat in the National Assembly, setting aside the IEC’s decision to disqualify him. Sanusha Naidu says she was surprised by the ruling as the IEC’s decision was in terms of the constitution.https://t.co/lr0NOxm1iK pic.twitter.com/BGA39AcPB5
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) April 10, 2024
According to an MK statement, the party said Zuma’s victory is a victory for all South Africans who believe in fairness, democracy and the right for citizens to elect leaders of their choice.
“The judgement is a clear repudiation of the Ramaphosa-ANC’s overreaching efforts to infringe upon rights of President Zuma, challenge the electoral legitimacy of the MK Party, and constrain the democratic freedoms of the South African people,” Ndhela said.
He added the ruling emphasises the importance of safeguarding individual constitutional rights to engage in the democratic process and highlights the nuances of Zuma’s legal situation.
The party now shifts its attention to the elections next month as they call South African to acknowekedge the significance of MK’s victory in court. The party hopes to secure a 2/3 majority vote.
A MK party victory against IEC is a victory for and to all South Africans. No going back now. Woza 29 May, Woza 2/3 majority, Woza IzweLethu. No going back now pic.twitter.com/rg51ZDFGUL
— uMkhonto WeSizwe Party (@MkhontoweSizwex) April 10, 2024
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: X/@Sli_Masikane
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Matthew Petersen
