CASAC admitted as a friend of the court in square off between IEC and Zuma
The dispute over former president Jacob Zuma’s eligibility to run for public office stems from the June 2021 decision to convict him of contempt of court.
Former President Jacob Zuma at the Pietermaritzburg High Court on 20 March 2023. Picture: Rejoice Ndlovu/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC) has entered the fray as the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) plans to square off with uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party leader Jacob Zuma at the Constitutional Court.
The lobby group has been admitted as a friend of the court when the IEC challenges the former president’s candidacy in the May 29 elections.
Zuma was previously given the go-ahead to run for a seat in the National Assembly by the electoral code, overturning the IEC’s decision to disqualify him from serving as a member of Parliament.
READ: IEC disqualifies Zuma from standing as a candidate in upcoming elections
The dispute over former president Jacob Zuma’s eligibility to run for public office stems from the June 2021 decision to convict him of contempt of court.
He was handed a 15-month sentence but only served a fraction of the jail time after President Cyril Ramaphosa granted him special remission.
CASAC says the Electoral Court’s decision to allow Zuma to run for a seat at the National Assembly has implications for the rule of law and the separation of powers.
The lobby group says it will make five submissions to the apex court.
It says the Electoral Court misconceived the nature and legal effect of the remission, adding that remission does not undo the sentence and does not overcome a disqualification from seeking election.
The organisation will file written submissions to the Constitutional Court on Monday.