South Africa’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has rejected a request to remove former President Jacob Zuma as the leader of the newly formed Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) party arguing it does not interfere with political parties’ internal affairs.
MK founder Jabulani Khumalo had written to the commission asking it to remove Zuma as the face of the party and from its list of potential members of parliament.
Khumalo also claimed Zuma was fraudulently occupying the position of party leader and said he was suspending him for “several acts of misconduct”.
He however found no joy from the IEC who issued a statement on Tuesday saying it does not interfere with political parties’ internal affairs and confirmed that Mr Zuma remained a registered leader of the MK party.
“The commission only acts on the instruction of the registered leader of the party,” the poll agency said, adding that Mr Zuma has remained MK party leader since last month.
The 82-year-old has thwarted attempts to stop him, or his new party, from contesting the general election on 29 May.
On Friday, the Constitutional Court will hear an appeal by the IEC on Mr Zuma’s candidacy ban for a parliamentary seat.
In March, the electoral commission unsuccessfully tried to bar him over a contempt of court conviction.
