MK Party 'not as big as we want them to believe they are'

Bongani Bingwa is joined by EWN Political Editor, Tshidi Madia.

Click below to listen to the conversation

Following the ruling that former president Jacob Zuma cannot run for a seat in the National Assembly in next week’s general election, EWN's Political Editor has called the judgment 'inconsequential'.

On Monday, the Constitutional Court overturned the Electoral Court's ruling on Zuma's candidacy, saying he would have to wait five years for his 2021 conviction for contempt to lapse before running for public office.

"As far as the ballot in itself is concerned, it's inconsequential."

Tshidi Madia, Political Editor - EWN

"The IEC had already gone to print before this matter was resolved, because the idea that the leader of the party is the face [of the party], nothing changes that, the question was about whether or not he goes to Parliament."

Tshidi Madia, Political Editor - EWN

Madia adds that in her opinion, Zuma never actually wanted to go back to Parliament.

However, she says the future of the party depends on what Zuma wants to do.

It's a party who's stability and infrastructure is pinned on just one person, she says.

"He remains the brain of the organisation...if you look at the MK party, the one thing you are certain of is that this is Zuma and then there's nothing else."

Tshidi Madia, Political Editor - EWN

What will be interesting is who Zuma chooses to go to Parliament in his place [in the event of securing enough votes], says Madia.

And what are the party's chances come 29 May?

Madia says while she's not writing them off, they still have much to prove.

"I do think they'll make it onto the ballot...I don't write them off, but I don't think they're as big as we want them to believe they are."

Tshidi Madia, Political editor - EWN

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MK Party 'not as big as we want them to believe they are' - Tshidi Madia

EWN Political Editor Tshidi Madia discusses the MK Party's chances of success in the elections and the Constitutional Court ruling that former President Jacob Zuma cannot run as a candidate in next week's election.