MK defends Zuma's eligibility to hold public office, says Section 47 does not apply to him

JOHANNESBURG - The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has defended Jacob Zuma's eligibility to hold public office inspite of a constitutional provision that excludes candidates who have been sentenced to more than 12 months in prison. 

The party said Zuma's sentence was remitted, meaning Section 47 of the Constitution does not apply to the former president. 

On Tuesday, the party filed papers at the Electoral Court to appeal the Electoral Commission's decision to remove Zuma from its list of candidates. 

In 2021, Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt of court, however, he only served two months behind bars after being granted special remission by the department of correctional services. 

In its papers, the MK Party said that Section 47 was inapplicable to Zuma. 

Party spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, said they were appealing on a matter of democratic principle. 

"It’s not a matter of desperation, the people’s will, as we have always said, shall prevail. It's the people that wanted President Zuma to lead this and we listened to the people."

The IEC said the Electoral Court would have until 9 April to make a ruling on MK's appeal.