Inside Former President Jacob Zuma’s Appeal Against the Independent Electoral Commission
- Former president Jacob Zuma’s lawyers argued that he should be eligible to contest the upcoming elections
- His legal team argued that he was not convicted of a crime but of a civil offence, and the MK party defended him too
- Stellenbosch University's Professor Zwelinzima Ndevu spoke to Briefly News about the case
- South Africans spoke against Zuma and slammed his legal team, accusing them of trying to get him back into office
Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist in Johannesburg, South Africa, has covered policy changes, the State of the Nation Address, politician-related news and elections at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News for over seven years. Do you have a hard news story you would like to share? Email tebogo.mokwena@briefly.co.za with CA in the subject line.
Source: Getty Images
JOHANNESBURG – Jacob Zuma's legal team is advocating for his eligibility to contest the 2024 general elections, arguing that he has not been convicted of a crime and has the right to appeal.
Jacob Zuma’s legal team fights for him
According to The South African, Msholozi’s legal team argued that Zuma was not allowed to appeal his sentence after he was found guilty of contempt of court and sentenced to 15 months imprisonment.
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The MK party’s spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, said the party has a basis to challenge the Independent Electoral Commission's decision to bar Zuma from running as a candidate in the upcoming general elections on 29 May.
However, the IEC said removing Zuma from the list of candidates was constitutional. The IEC’s chairperson, Mosotho Moepya, noted that anyone convicted of an offence and sentenced to more than one year in prison is barred from contesting the elections.
Professor Ndevu speaks to Briefly News about the case
Stellenbosch University's professor Zwelinzima Ndevu discussed the case with Briefly News.
"I think that a person sentenced to twelve months in prison without an option of fine cannot hold public official. This applies to President Zuma. If the appeal is unsuccessful, there will be a vacuum of leadership in the MK party, which may lead to an internal fight/division that the party may not recover from," he said.
South Africans slam Zuma and legal team
Netizens on Facebook took Zuma’s legal team and Zuma to task and slammed him for trying to run for president again.
Paulus Nzima said:
“Something is seriously wrong in this country. No parolee will find a job because they have restrictions, but politicians can take the high job of leading law-abiding citizens while on parole.”
Yanga Lux TJ Tsotsi said:
“Zuma always thinks that everything must be about him.”
Mpilo Shabalala said:
“Contempt of court and was sentenced to 12 months, disqualifying him. I think we don’t stay in the same country.”
Phindile Mpande said:
“This is one of Jacob Zuma’s attempts to put this country’s security and safety in danger.”
Phamodi Mokaba said:
“I still cannot believe that there are still people who want this guy to be president of the country again.”
Jacob Zuma’s FNB account was frozen because of VBS Bank loan default
In a similar article, Briefly News reported that Zuma’s FNB account was frozen because he defaulted on his loan to VBS Mutual Bank.
Zuma took the loan out to pay the money he owed the state after he used taxpayers’ money to upgrade his Nkandla homestead.
South Africans were unhappy that his account was frozen because he defaulted on a loan.
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Source: Briefly News
