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@observer Mon, 20 May 2024 15:50:39
Constitutional court bars ex-president Zuma from running in South Africa elections
He’s often been dubbed “the Teflon president” for his ability to endure scandal after scandal, but TODAY Monday something finally stuck.
The Constitutional court ruled that due to a 2021 prison sentence, former President Jacob Zuma will not be allowed to run for parliament in pivotal South African elections on May 29. The country’s Electoral Commission had always maintained Zuma was disqualified from running, because he had been sentenced to 15 months in jail for contempt of court in a corruption case.
He served only two months before being released on medical parole. Zuma’s Umkhonto WeSizwe, or MK Party, spokesperson was defiant when addressing media outside the court after the ruling Monday.
“We are disappointed about the judgement, but I’d like to emphasize this: President Zuma will be on the ballot paper when we’re going to vote ... He’s still the leader of the party, he’s in charge of MK Party,” said Sihle Ngubane.
The Electoral Commission said in a statement that while Zuma’s picture could still appear with other party members on the ballot, his name would be removed from the list of candidates nominated by the MK Party. Rather than directly electing a president, South Africans vote for members of parliament. Whichever party wins a majority then puts their leader forward as president.
Another MK spokesperson told local media that despite the court decision, if the party came to power, whoever became president would essentially be a puppet because Zuma would still be “the brains behind any president that will be deployed.”
Political analyst Sandile Swana told VOA in some ways the court decision could even play in Zuma’s favor.
“The MK Party supporters are going to use this sentence again to look for sympathies that even the courts are against Zuma … and playing the victim card to the fullest,” he said.
Zuma, 82, was forced to resign near the end of his second term in 2018 amid numerous corruption scandals. Bitter at his former party, the African National Congress (ANC), Zuma threw his weight behind the newly-formed MK in December 2023.
The ANC was shocked by the move, and to add insult to injury the MK Party takes its name from the ANC’s disbanded armed wing -established by South African icon Nelson Mandela during the fight against apartheid.
Despite all the allegations against him – which include basically giving over state-owned enterprises and even some ministries to his businessmen friends - Zuma still has massive support in his home province of Kwa Zulu-Natal.
While MK has not been polling very high country-wide, elections next week are being seen as a test for the ANC, which surveys suggest will win under 50 per cent for the first time in 30 years and may have to enter into a coalition.
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@kfm Mon, 20 May 2024 15:33:38
Teacher arrested for pouring acid on wife & sons.
A teacher from Eagles Nest secondary school which is in Mengo, Kensenyi and resident of Namusera in Wakiso district being detained at Kakira Central Police Station in Jinja for allegedly pouring acid on his pregnant wife, two step sons and another female victim. According to Mr.James Mubi the Kiira, Jinja region police spokesperson, the suspect “Rogers Ngobi, 26, a born of Kalalu village, Buyinda sub county Kaliro district and teacher at Eagles Nest secondary school in Mengo Kensenyi and resident of Namusera in Wakiso district on Sunday, May 19, 2024 reportedly poured liquid which later came to be identified as acid on his wife Shallot Kwagala 30, the two step sons identified as Elvis Mukisa 6 and Elijah Mununuzi 3 […]
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kfm.co.ug
@kfm Mon, 20 May 2024 14:36:45
Teso community petitions parliament seeking clarity on Speaker Among UK sanctions
By George Emuron A section of the Teso community has announced plans to petition parliament seeking clarification on the UK government sanctions against Speaker Anitah Among. Early this month, UK Deputy Foreign Secretary, Andrew Mitchell announced the sanctions on the Speaker, and two former ministers facing corruption cases, and since then several of her supporters and some government officials have attempted to stand in solidarity with her. The latest such decision was reached following a meeting held this afternoon at Hyde Park in Soroti city, chaired by Francis Erau the Iteso community chairperson. He also expressed their determination to defend one of their own. “We are not going to get ashamed to stand with her under all difficulties, let Europe reject her but as […]
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