South Africa’s third-largest political party, led by former president Jacob Zuma, has filed legal documents to stop Parliament’s first session on Friday, where the country’s president is set to be elected.
Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe Party announced that none of its 58 newly elected lawmakers would attend the session. The party had previously lodged objections with the Independent Electoral Commission, citing widespread irregularities in the national elections last month, where it secured just over 14% of the vote.
Although the party, also known as MK, has not provided evidence to support its claims, the commission stated it had addressed all objections. The legal challenge now requests the Constitutional Court to overturn the commission’s decision declaring the election free and fair and to mandate the president to call for a new election.
In this election, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) lost its majority in parliament for the first time since the end of apartheid three decades ago. The ANC is now seeking to form a government of national unity with various opposition parties.
The outcome of these discussions will influence Parliament’s choice for South Africa’s president. President Cyril Ramaphosa, Zuma’s rival, is aiming for re-election to a second term.
