The judgment handed down by the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) yesterday, regarding the IEC’s appeal against the Electoral Court order on the eligibility of former president Jacob Zuma’s candidacy in the upcoming elections, represents a win for civil society, says Corruption Watch (CW). The ConCourt ruled that Zuma was not eligible or qualified to stand for election to the National Assembly (NA) based on his conviction and sentencing to 15 months imprisonment for contempt of court in 2021, after defying a court order to testify before the Zondo Commission. Section 47(1)(e) of the Constitution states that candidates are not eligible until five years after the completion of a sentence, with the result that the Electoral Court order is set aside and replaced, dismissing the former president’s appeal.
Non-profit organisation Corruption Watch (CW) said on Tuesday that it is critical that the country’s election laws are subjected to a reasonable interpretation, noting the Constitutional Court’s (ConCourt) judgment on former President Jacob Zuma’s eligibility to run as an MP. The ConCourt ruled on Monday that Zuma was not eligible or qualified to stand for election to the National Assembly (NA) based on his conviction and sentencing to 15 months’ imprisonment for contempt of court in 2021, after defying a court order to testify before the Zondo Commission.
The Madras High Court has recently observed that any certificate including salary certificates, appointment letters, etc of a person in foreign employment that has been duly attested by the.
In spite of social media criticism among supporters of former president Jacob Zuma, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has defended itself for pursuing the uMkhonto weSizwe (MKP)-Zuma matter at the Constitutional Court.