Former President Jacob Zuma‘s planned mini rally in Philippi, Cape Town, was disrupted when his plane was delayed, with an insider claiming sabotage.
Jacob Zuma Cape Town rally sabotaged, insider claims
Supporters and journalists waited for Zuma’s arrival throughout the day on Saturday. The delay left many frustrated and fuelled speculation about the reasons behind the incident.
Secretary-General of the Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) Sihle Ngubane claimed the delay was a deliberate act of sabotage against Zuma and his supporters.
“The party is being sabotaged,” Ngubane said, although he did not provide specific evidence to support this claim.
Zuma’s rally was intended to be a show of support and strength following a turbulent period in his political career.
The delay in his arrival led to disappointment among his supporters, who had gathered in large numbers, anticipating his speech.
The atmosphere at the rally site grew increasingly tense as the hours passed without any word from Zuma or his team about the reason for the delay.
Is Zuma eligible to stand for election?
The question of Jacob Zuma’s eligibility to stand for election has been definitively answered by the Constitutional Court. On Monday, 20 May 2024, the court ruled that Zuma is ineligible to stand for election to Parliament.
This landmark judgment cited the 15-month sentence previously imposed on Zuma for contempt of court, which disqualifies him under section 47(1)(e) of the South African Constitution.
Section 47(1)(e) states that individuals who have been sentenced to more than 12 months of imprisonment are barred from standing for election to the National Assembly for five years after completing their sentence.
Zuma’s sentence for contempt of court, therefore, directly impacts his eligibility.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) had submitted that allowing Zuma to stand for election would undermine the rule of law and the constitutional framework.
The IEC argued that the Electoral Court’s initial decision to permit Zuma’s candidacy was flawed and contradicted the authority of the Constitutional Court.
The Constitutional Court’s ruling has brought clarity to the interpretation of section 47(1)(e) and affirmed Zuma’s disqualification.
Despite this, Zuma and the MK Party have continued campaigning under the presumption that the former president remains the preferred candidate ahead of the 29 May elections.