The political landscape in South Africa might see a seismic shift as the MK Party endorses Jacob Zuma for the presidency in the upcoming 2024 elections.
MK Party announces Jacob Zuma as presidential candidate
The Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has named the former president as its leading candidate for the upcoming general elections scheduled for 29 May 2024.
This announcement follows Zuma’s endorsement of the MKP last December. Despite his continued association with the African National Congress (ANC), Zuma is now at the forefront of MKP’s electoral campaign.
The party’s candidate list features a mix of Zuma’s long-term allies and political novices, alongside leaders from various small parties and groups that have previously supported him.
The list, which was inadvertently released to the media, includes notable figures such as Jabulani Khumalo, Sophonia Tsekedi of the All African Alliance Movement, and Des Van Rooyen, remembered for his brief tenure as finance minister.
Amid legal disputes with the ANC regarding trademark issues, MKP spokesperson Bonginkosi Khanyile made it abundantly clear that the party is committed to Zuma’s candidacy.
“If they remove the MKP and President Zuma from the ballot as the face of the campaign and try to take our rights, there won’t be elections in South Africa,” he said.
Does South African law allow for Zuma to run for president?
The eligibility of Jacob Zuma to run for president again is a complex issue, entwined with South Africa’s legal and constitutional frameworks.
The Constitution limits individuals to two presidential terms, a criterion Zuma has already met. However, it does not explicitly prevent former presidents from seeking other political offices or representing a party in elections.
Zuma’s legal entanglements, including corruption charges, pose additional challenges to his candidacy.
Despite these hurdles, political parties like MKP have the discretion to nominate their candidates, with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) overseeing the process to ensure compliance with electoral laws.
Does the law consider Jacob Zuma a criminal?
The IEC has confirmed that Zuma is barred from running for the presidency in the upcoming 2024 general elections due to his criminal record.
This decision is based on Section 47(e) of the South African Constitution, which prohibits individuals who have been convicted and sentenced to more than 12 months imprisonment, without the option of a fine, from holding any public office.
This provision applies to Zuma, making him ineligible for the 2024 elections because he has not completed five years out of jail since serving his sentence.
Zuma’s conviction and sentencing to 15 months in prison came after he was found guilty of defying a summons to appear before the State Capture Commission in 2021.
Zuma’s legal standing is another matter of considerable debate that encompasses a confluence of legal adjudication, political dynamics, and societal perceptions.
The acknowledgement by the IEC of a criminal record delineates a clear legal boundary impacting Zuma’s eligibility for electoral contention.
