Cape Town – The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) is awaiting a crucial judgment from the Constitutional Court regarding Jacob Zuma’s eligibility to contest for parliament in the upcoming elections.
The IEC’s appeal against the Electoral Court’s decision will be heard on Friday.
The commission stresses the importance of clarity on this matter before election dayon 29 May, to ensure fairness and credibility.
The case revolves around the interpretation of section 47(1)(e) of the constitution, which prohibits individuals sentenced to over 12 months imprisonment without an option of a fine from becoming MPs.
Commission chairperson Mosotho Moepya believes that should the commission not have the judgment before election day, this would cast doubt on the credibility and fairness of the elections.
“If we had removed him [from the parliament candidate list] because we are appealing, and the ConCourt says, ‘No, he should have not been removed’ [he is eligible], we would have acted unlawfully. If, on the other hand, he should not be standing and we let him stand, it is also unlawful.
“We have to do the right thing and clarify that position in interpretation lawfully obtained from this court,” he said in an interview with Newzroom Afrika.
Watch as Moepya speaks:
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
