By Sihle Mavuso
Jacob Zuma is back on the ballot.
Msholozi and his Umkhonto Wesizwe party scored a major victory when they won their Electoral Court battle to have Zuma on the 29 May elections ballot.
A full bench of the Electoral Court ruled that the decision of the Independent Electoral Commission to disqualify Zuma as a candidate was incorrect.
The case was heard yesterday in Johannesburg and the ruling was handed down on Tuesday.
Zuma’s disqualification would have forced the MK to choose a less popular figure from their temporary leadership structure.
The party faithful feared this would have cost them dearly on election day.
Corruption-accused Zuma topped the list of the ANC splinter party but his candidature was dismissed by the IEC last month following an objection which the IEC upheld.
However, the Electoral Court ruled in Zuma’s favour, paving the way for him to continue to occupy the top spot on MK’s list.
“Having heard counsel for the parties and having read the papers filed of record the following order is made: The application for leave to appeal is granted. The appeal succeeds.
“The decision of the Electoral Commission of 28 March 2024 in terms of which the Electoral Commission upheld Dr Matsapola’s objection to the second applicant’s candidacy (Mr Zuma) is set aside and substituted with the following: The objection is hereby dismissed,” reads part of the ruling emailed to all parties.
The MK Party which is pinning its hopes of electoral success on Zuma has yet to comment on the ruling.
Pictured above: Jacob Zuma.
Image source: File
