‘Everybody knew Zuma never had ambitions to become president’ − Holomisa

United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader Bantu Holomisa said while the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party has a right to appeal the Electoral Commission of South Africa’s (IEC) decision to bar Jacob Zuma, the former president has no ambition to become the leader of the country.

The MK party has turned to the Electoral Court in Bloemfontein to appeal the IEC’s decision after the electoral body confirmed that an objection to Zuma’s candidacy was received and upheld by the commission.

Zuma and the MK party had until end of business on Tuesday to appeal the decision by the IEC.

Attractive for MK

Speaking to The Citizen, Holomisa said the IEC is following the regulation enshrined in the constitution.

“The MK has a right to appeal if they feel so. But the truth of the matter is that we are now campaigning, this is politics. Everybody knew that President Zuma has never had ambitions become a president. He said himself by saying ‘I am going to campaign for MK.’

“So, he’s an attractive individual for MK. If MK were to do well in the elections, who knows, it might well be that someone who will become a president of MK is still within the ANC.”

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Zuma suspension from ANC

While the ANC has suspended Zuma as an ANC member in January this year, his suspension will only be processed by the party’s disciplinary committee after the 29 May national and provincial elections, and he will go through a disciplinary process then.

According to NEC insiders, who spoke to News24, the initial decision was for Zuma’s branch in Nkandla to suspend his membership, but it later emerged that the branch was not in good standing.

Also, the NEC opted not to expel Zuma as an ANC member as that would require longer disciplinary processes, which it is believed he will not attend.

According to the ANC constitution’s rule 25, Zuma’s actions to not campaign or vote for the ANC are tantamount to a breach of the party’s constitution.

MK support

In December, Zuma announced that he would support the Umkhonto WeSizwe (MK) party for the 2024 general elections because the ANC has strayed from its core values.

However, this contradicts his statement in October, when he said the ANC “remains the only viable instrument to bring about a better life” in South Africa while addressing party members and the public in Nyoni Branch, Ward 10, under General Gizenga Mpanza Region in KwaZulu-Natal.

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