Man of a medical mystery. Image:@themankhosi/X
Zuma bounces back: Healthy and high-spirited
Former president and MK Party leader Jacob Zuma allegedly collapsed last week, and lives to see the elections.
Man of a medical mystery. Image:@themankhosi/X
It was reported that this week, former president Jacob Zuma had to suspend his election campaign activity on Wednesday as he collapsed due to fatigue and low blood pressure.
MK Party dispels rumours: Zuma’s health intact
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) says that they don’t believe the news about Jacob Zuma being sick.
They’re waiting for a decision from the Constitutional Court about a request to give them more time to respond to the Electoral Commission of South Africa’s appeal application.
The Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (Casac) has asked to join the court proceedings as a friend of the court.
According to IOL, the Constitutional Court has given instructions for the party and Jacob Zuma, along with anyone who disagrees with the Electoral Commission’s request to quickly appeal against the decision allowing Zuma to run for Parliament, to submit their responses by Thursday.
The instructions stated that more guidance might be given later on.
On Wednesday, Zungu Incorporated law firm addressed the court, expressing their humble concern regarding the insufficient time given to Jacob Zuma and the MKP to respond.
They emphasised that they had only managed to contact their clients and legal representatives on Wednesday morning, highlighting the limited timeframe as unreasonable considering the circumstances.
“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.”
Zungu Incorporated pointed out that the Electoral Court hadn’t explained its decision on 9 April and argued that this lack of clarity meant the case needed to be prepared for a hearing or fair judgment.
The spokesperson for the MKP, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, expressed confusion about the rush to hear the case.
Ndhlela dismissed reports about Zuma’s health, suggesting they were a deliberate effort to create conflict and hinder the MKP’s momentum in the political landscape.
“The falsehoods about president Zuma’s health are desperate attempts to disrupt our progress and weaken our resolve.”
Ndhlela said Zuma was “healthy, strong and in great spirits”.
IEC’s fast appeal on Zuma’s election participation deemed non-political
The Independent Electoral Commission lodged an urgent and direct appeal to the Constitutional Court concerning the Electoral Court’s order, which set aside its decision following the appeal by the uMkhonto Wesizwe party.
According to Daily Maverick,the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) believed that taking the case to the Constitutional Court would help provide clarity on the interpretation of section 47(1)(e) of the Constitution.
This law was central to the case between the uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party and the IEC.
“Such clarity is important in the present matter because of a live issue but also for future elections. It is furthermore important that such legal clarification is obtained from the highest court in the land which has constitutional-matter jurisdiction. Hence, a direct appeal to the Constitutional Court,” the IEC’s statement reads.
The MK party contested the interpretation of section 47(1)(e), which outlines the conditions under which a convicted individual may be barred from holding public office.
Dali Mpofu asserted that Zuma’s three-month imprisonment, followed by a sentence remission, nullified his original 15 month sentence.
Mpofu argued that the commission lacked the authority to enforce section 47 against the former president.
Former South African President Jacob Zuma appeared in public for the first time in a week, as his party aimed to dismiss rumours suggesting he might be unwell.
According to Moneyweb, Zuma, who has been leading the election campaign for the opposition uMkhonto weSizwe Party since its inception in December, did not attend several party events this month.
Reports indicate that Zuma has experienced multiple falls, raising concerns among his medical and security teams.
On Thursday evening, the former leader was seen dancing and singing on stage during a party rally at his residence in Nkandla, located in rural KwaZulu-Natal.
At the same time, a large crowd of supporters cheered for him. Zuma appeared with visible stitches above his left eye, and although he did not directly comment on the reports about his health, his party dismissed them as efforts to hinder the party’s progress.
