Zuma, MK Party given until Tuesday to file papers in IEC application
Lawyers argue they were unable to meet original deadline as former president, party representatives were campaigning ‘across SA’
26 April 2024 - 11:23
byTimesLIVE
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Former president Jacob Zuma and the MK Party have been given an extension until Tuesday to file answering affidavits in the application to the Constitutional Court by the IEC. File photo: SANDILE NDLOVU
The Constitutional Court has granted former president Jacob Zuma and his uMkhonto we Sizwe party until next Tuesday to file answering affidavits in the application by the IEC against the Electoral Court’s decision relating to Zuma’s participation in the elections.
The directions were issued by the deputy chief justice on Thursday after a request for an extension by lawyers representing Zuma and the party on Wednesday. The request followed directions issued by the apex court on Tuesday asking them to file the affidavits by Thursday.
In a letter to the court on Wednesday, law firm Zungu Incorporated said the time afforded to Zuma and the MK Party was unreasonably short. It said it had been able to make contact with its clients and counsel only on Wednesday morning.
“The legal representatives were unfortunately engaged in other matters, and with the elections around the corner, the clients were spread out across the country campaigning for votes. It, therefore, seems like we will only be able to consult and receive instructions over the coming weekend,” the letter read.
The directions issued on Thursday said further directions may be issued.
The Electoral Commission applied to the Constitutional Court to appeal the Electoral Court order on April 11 — even without obtaining reasons for the order it was appealing. The IEC said its application raised important and new constitutional questions and the commission simply did not have the time to wait for the court’s reasons.
PODCAST | Zuma is out for revenge and has nothing to lose
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Zuma, MK Party given until Tuesday to file papers in IEC application
Lawyers argue they were unable to meet original deadline as former president, party representatives were campaigning ‘across SA’
The Constitutional Court has granted former president Jacob Zuma and his uMkhonto we Sizwe party until next Tuesday to file answering affidavits in the application by the IEC against the Electoral Court’s decision relating to Zuma’s participation in the elections.
The directions were issued by the deputy chief justice on Thursday after a request for an extension by lawyers representing Zuma and the party on Wednesday. The request followed directions issued by the apex court on Tuesday asking them to file the affidavits by Thursday.
In a letter to the court on Wednesday, law firm Zungu Incorporated said the time afforded to Zuma and the MK Party was unreasonably short. It said it had been able to make contact with its clients and counsel only on Wednesday morning.
“The legal representatives were unfortunately engaged in other matters, and with the elections around the corner, the clients were spread out across the country campaigning for votes. It, therefore, seems like we will only be able to consult and receive instructions over the coming weekend,” the letter read.
The directions issued on Thursday said further directions may be issued.
The Electoral Commission applied to the Constitutional Court to appeal the Electoral Court order on April 11 — even without obtaining reasons for the order it was appealing. The IEC said its application raised important and new constitutional questions and the commission simply did not have the time to wait for the court’s reasons.
PODCAST | Zuma is out for revenge and has nothing to lose
TimesLIVE
Shivambu won’t be finance minister, says Mantashe
SHIRLEY DE VILLIERS: MK’s manifesto grand stand
ANC to appeal after losing MK trademark court case
TOM EATON: If Ramaphosa is right, an ill-tempered god is our enemy
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
Mbeki encourages Soweto residents to vote for ANC
NATASHA MARRIAN: Jules and Jake, together at last
Jacob Zuma is not an ANC member, says Fikile Mbalula
CARTOON: Zuma scores with free publicity
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.