The IEC has no business in political affairs: Zuma

April 11, 2024 62

Former President, Jacob Zuma, has slammed the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), accusing the electoral body of political interference.

Zuma addressed his supporters outside the high court in Johannesburg earlier today, where his private prosecution matter against President Cyril Ramaphosa was postponed to August.

The former president took a swipe at the Electoral Commission, saying it’s targeting him while it’s chosen to turn a blind eye to the President’s Phala Phala farm scandal.

“I’ve never committed a crime, all these times when I’m in court no one can say I’m wrong. The person who steals money and hides it under the mattress at home, the IEC says nothing about him.

“They pick on someone who has never even stolen a needle. Where does the IEC enter politics because their role is to make people vote. Who the President of the country will be has nothing to do with the IEC,” he added.

Zuma’s outburst comes just two days after his victory at the Electoral Court, which set aside the IEC’s decision to bar him from contesting the upcoming polls.

He was disqualified over his contempt of court 15 months prison sentence for failing to appear before the State Capture Inquiry in 2021.

Zuma also used his address outside court today to criticise his successor and the judiciary.

The former president says Ramaphosa is the only accused person who has never seen the dock.

He lambasted the courts saying they fear Ramaphosa, while they maintain no one is above the law.

“We are forced to be in court. The one time when I was sick and went to Cuba, my lawyers told the courts I was ill, there was a judge that said they wanted me in court. The President that comes after me does not attend court, what a surprise, even when stolen money is found under his pillows, he doesn’t even appear in court.

“What kind of a nation is this with a democracy that says some must appear in court while others don’t have to be in court?”

[WATCH] The former president addresses MK supporters outside court.

He throws jabs at President Ramaphosa and the IEC.#Zuma #eNCA pic.twitter.com/BaC2qgZZ6g

— Silindelo Masikane (@Sli_Masikane) April 11, 2024

The IEC is yet to comment on the Zuma candidacy ruling, while the leader of the official opposition party, John Steenhuisen, says the MK Party is a gift to the DA.

He says the party led by the former president is a pain for the ANC and EFF as it will likely divide their votes at the upcoming polls.

Steenhuisen says it looks like the MK Party will take the EFF’s position of the third largest party in the country.