The Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC) maintains that the Electoral Court’s findings on whether former President Jacob Zuma can run as a candidate ahead of the elections harm the separation of powers.
In its written submissions to the Constitutional Court on Monday, CASAC argued that the Electoral Court afforded the Parole Board, rather than only the president, powers to undo all consequences of a court’s determination of a conviction and sentence.
CASAC, along with Corruption Watch and the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation have been admitted as friends of the court in the matter between the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) and Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe Party.
The IEC approached the apex court seeking clarity after the Electoral Court overturned an objection to Zuma being a candidate for a seat in the National Assembly in the upcoming general elections.
CASAC maintains the Electoral Court erred when handing down both its order and subsequent judgment in the Zuma matter, arguing that a remission did not reduce the sentence imposed by a court.
Meanwhile, the IEC warned of a substantial risk of a disputed outcome if Zuma was allowed to stand, while the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation described the former president as a constitutional delinquent who did not deserve to serve in Parliament.
The apex court is set to hear the matter on Friday.
-EWN
In other news – Actress Thuso Mbedu’s touching tribute to late actor Mpho Sebeng
Popular American-based South African actress Thuso Mbedu mourns the death of her friend and colleague, Mpho Sebeng.
The actor’s death has left many heartbroken, and people have taken to social media to pay tribute to the late star. Taking to Instagram, Mbedu who mourned a friend’s death in March wrote, once again a lengthy but touching tribute to the actor. Read More