‘I DON’T HATE ZUMA,’ SAYS CANDIDACY OBJECTOR

Dr Maroba Matsapola, whose objection to former president Jacob Zuma’s candidature was this week upheld by the Constitutional Court, has dismissed accusations that his decision was motivated by hatred for the former president.

Speaking during an interview on SAfm yesterday, Matsapola said his decision to approach the Electoral Commission of South African (IEC) and lodge the objection was motivated by a sense of patriotism.

“There are those who seek to inject the case with poisonous election politics. I submitted my objection free from any bias, free from any prejudice, malice or negative feelings towards former president Jacob Zuma.

“I was adhering to my high sense of national service,” he said.

Matsapola’s objection was based on the fact that Zuma — who was number one on the uMkhonto we Sizwe Party (MKP) candidate list for Parliament — was in 2021 convicted and sentenced to more than 12 months by the Constitutional Court for defying the court’s order to appear before the Zondo Commission.

According to the Constitution, a person who has been sentenced for more than twelve months without the option of a fine is not eligible for election to Parliament.

Matsapola said the public deserved to know if the IEC had the powers to disqualify people on the basis of their criminal record.

The Constitutional Court’s Monday ruling, Matsapola said, answered the public’s questions.

“As a country, we need legal clarity on the question of whether the IEC has express powers to determine whether a candidate qualifies to stand as a candidate for Parliament.

“It [the judgment] is the shining light that will guide the IEC for generations to come,” he said.

As proof that he did not harbour any animosity towards Zuma, Matsapola cited the fact that he “openly and vehemently" opposed then-president Thabo Mbeki’s 2005 decision to fire Zuma from the country’s deputy president position.

When Zuma was elected ANC president during the ANC’s 2007 national elective conference, Matsapola said, he congratulated Zuma and the entire new ANC leadership which was elected at the conference.

"The case [objection] has nothing to do with the person of former Jacob Zuma,” he said.

The objection and subsequent Constitutional Court ruling, Matsapola said, will not affect the MK party’s performance during next week’s general elections.

“Voters who agree with Zuma are free to vote for his party.

“He remains the face of his party on the ballot,” he said.

While the MK Party said it was disappointed with the Constitutional Court judgment, the party remained confident that it would still achieve its “two-third majority” in the upcoming polls.

“We want to assure our members, supporters, and all South Africans that we remain steadfast and undeterred by the enemies of the poor, whether they be in robes or acting as agents of white monopoly capital.

“President Zuma continues to lead the MK Party and will appear on the ballot.

“Furthermore, he will be reinstated into the Union Buildings to lead the country once we secure a two-third majority, which is becoming increasingly obvious daily, hence the fear among the enemies of the poor black people,” MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said. • clive.ndou@witness.co.za

I submitted my objection free from any bias, free from any prejudice, malice or negative feelings ...