Former president Jacob Zuma wants to come back and fix things
Zuma says he can introduce a new government led by him via the MK Party. He said load shedding was one of his key priorities.
Former president Jacob Zuma wants to make a comeback as President of South Africa.
This is according a news report by Eyewitness News, which said that Zuma made the announcement while addressing a prayer service at the Nazareth Baptist Church in Ndwendwe, northern KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday afternoon.
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‘I WAS REMOVED BEFORE END OF MY TERM’
According to Timeslive Zuma said he wants to comeback and “fix things” particularly load-shedding because many people do not have alternative energy sources especially in rural areas.
“All of you know I was removed before my presidency term ended — before I was done being a president, I was removed because I was trying to solve problems experienced by the poor.”
“I was quickly removed before the end of my term as president because I was trying to change people’s lives but their behaviour has made me want to come [back]. I want to return to change our situation,” he told the service.
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WHAT DOES THE CONSTITUTIONAL LAW SAY?
According to Section 88(2) of the Constitution, no person may hold office as President for more than two terms.
The section does not say that a President cannot serve more than two consecutive terms, which means the Putin option is not available to a South African President who has served two full terms. A President can therefore not serve two terms, then do something else for five years, only to return to serve as the President for another 10 years after that.
The ban on serving more than two terms as President is qualified by a sub-clause contained in section 88(2), which states that when a person is elected to fill a vacancy in the office of President, the period between that election and the next election of a President is not regarded as a term.
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MAGASHULE (ACT) AND ZUMA (MK) FORM STRATEGIC ALLIANCE
Long-time associate of Zuma, former ANC Secretary-General, Ace Magashule, said his party, the African Congress for Transformation (ACT), had joined forces with the Jacob Zuma-backed MK and other “like-minded” parties ahead of the 2024 general elections.
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“We are going to work with uMkhonto weSizwe. We have been engaging with other radical, progressive parties to ensure that in 2024 South Africa changes for the better,” he said recently in Pietermaritzburg.
The former Free State Premier said the formation of MK party did not come as a surprise to him because Zuma was one of the best presidents.
He said Zuma began the implementation of free quality education that was promised in 1994, prioritised rural development and the rural economy and introduced long-term planning via Vision2030.
“There was no nine wasted years. Zuma was one of the best presidents.”
MOKONYANE: ZUMA’S RIGHTS MUST BE RESPECTED
The ANC’s first Deputy Secretary-General, Nomvula Mokonyane, said Zuma’s right to freedom of association must be respected, adding that he had made his choice ahead of elections. She said her support for Zuma was because he was president of their organisation.
“We’ve had a very rich history with him… we are here, there’s leadership in the ANC, there’s organisation in the ANC. Looking at what’s happening, it’s up to the individual, it’s a choice he’s made.”
Zuma and Mokonyane were both implicated in Bosasa graft during the State Capture Commission of Inquiry.