By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) says uMkhonto weSizwe Party’s calls for commissioner Janet Love’s resignation over alleged bias are “unfounded”.
The party’s decision comes after what they describe as “considerable reflection” on Love’s conduct. It says particularly in light of recent events surrounding the eligibility of former President Jacob Zuma as a candidate for the upcoming elections.
Zuma was subsequently disqualified due to his previous conviction in 2021, in which he was sentenced to more than 12 months’ imprisonment for failing to appear before the State Capture Commission.
He has since successfully appealed the IEC’s decision at the Electoral Court.
However, the commission has subsequently approached the Constitutional Court to seek clarity on the decision.
The party accuses Love of displaying blatant bias in favour of the ANC and President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Addressing the media on Tuesday IEC CEO Sy Mamabolo said the MK party has not submitted any substantive evidence establishing misconduct on Love’s side, adding that she is not required to disclose her political affiliation.
“We don’t know because no one has to disclose their party affiliation. In terms of the Electoral Commission Act, the person who is appointed as a commissioner may not have a high political profile at the point of the appointment.
“The panel, led by the chief justice, has looked at that to check whether the commissioners are qualified in terms of the legal criteria as well as the constitution.
“Parliament did the same, and eventually, the president was appointed on the basis of the recommendation of the multi-party National Assembly. So, as to whether she remains a member of this or the other party is a matter unknown to us, and we shouldn’t really know as long as they satisfy the constitutional and legal criteria.”
Meanwhile the commission has confirmed Zuma will replace the party founder Jabulani Khumalo as the party’s face on the ballot.
The commission’s deputy CEO, Masego Sheburi, confirmed the development during a media briefing on Tuesday.
“The face of the party on the ballot paper concerning the MK Party will be that of Zuma.
“The party has given us a notice that it has changed its leadership structure. Khumalo is no longer the party leader. Zuma is the party leader,” said Sheburi.
Sheburi said the photograph of the party’s registered leader is one of the ballot identifiers.
The other identifiers include the full registered name of the party, the photograph of the registered party leader, the registered abbreviated name of the party, and the registered emblem or symbol of the party.
With respect to independent candidates, the ballot papers will have the name of the independent, the photograph bearing the face of the independent, and the word INDEPENDENT.