The Electoral Court today dismissed the decision by the Electoral Commission of South Africa, known as the IEC, to prevent former president Jacob Zuma from contesting a seat in Parliament.

On April 3, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party announced that it had filed an appeal challenging the recent decision of the IEC to bar Zuma from being a member of Parliament.

The appeal underscored the party’s commitment to upholding justice, fairness, and the principles of democratic governance, it said in a media statement.

The MK Party challenged the application of section 47(1)(e) of the Constitution, arguing that it does not apply to Zuma for several reasons, namely that he ‘was not convicted of an offence in a criminal trial but rather found guilty of civil contempt, which does not constitute a criminal conviction’.

“Secondly, the sentence imposed on Zuma was appealable due to the Constitutional Court’s order, rendering the proviso in section 47(1)(e) on appeal inapplicable.

“Moreover, the issue of the remission of Zuma’s sentence by President [Cyril] Ramaphosa, which effectively reduced his term to less than 12 months, therefore serving only three, as such rendering him eligible under section 47(1)(e),” the statement read.

Tumi Sole, the founder of the social movement Country Duty and a lawyer passionate about human rights, posted the Electoral Court’s judgment on X (formerly Twitter) earlier today.

#MKParty #ANC #Elections2024

BREAKING:

The Electoral Court sets aside the IEC’s objection of having Former President Jacob Zuma being ineligible to be on the ballot & stand for election

In short, former President can be on the ballot & contest elections for #MKParty pic.twitter.com/QeHwM4AOBC

— Tumi Sole (@tumisole) April 9, 2024

While Network News contacted the IEC and the MK Party for comment, it was not forthcoming at the time of publishing.

Various social media users took to X to share their views on the decision:

That Jacob Zuma can contest the elections as a candidate will make the election interesting. This will mean that he can also hurt the arrogant ANC at the polls. These elections will be about the ANC not being able to have an outright majorityhttps://t.co/ZG49xpMs29 via @news24

— Vusumuzi (@VusumuziWaZweli) April 9, 2024

Ngena Zuma Parliament is waiting.

Union buildings are waiting.#VoteMK_29May2024 pic.twitter.com/nlIzNzLLzs

— Vote MK Party 29 May 2024 (@Real_Mjita) April 9, 2024

Good!!!!Jacob Zuma can contest elections, Electoral Court rules https://t.co/8PqVDZOBo5

— Cebo Hlophe (@HlopheCebo) April 9, 2024

This defies belief: Jacob Zuma can contest elections, Electoral Court rules https://t.co/MUlqMC7Qbj

— Louise Fincham (@louisefin) April 9, 2024