Former South African President Zuma’s party withdraws case in disputing elections results

By Hassan Isilow

The party led by former South African President Jacob Zuma dropped a court case Wednesday that challenged the results of the May 29 election which it said had irregularities.

Legal representatives of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party issued a notice to withdraw the case that challenged the Electoral Commission (IEC) in the Electoral Court on claims the poll was not free or fair.

South Africans voted to elect national and provincial lawmakers in the tightly contested election.

The MK party, formed less than a year ago, shocked many when it emerged as the third-largest party in parliament with 58 seats out of the 400-seat National Assembly.

MK boycotted the first sitting of parliament where Cyril Ramaphosa was elected president in protest of the election results, but MPs of the party later took the oath of office.

The African National Congress party (ANC) that Zuma once led, lost its majority in parliament for the first time since 1994, getting 40.18% of the vote and losing some provincial legislatures.

The second-biggest party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), received 21.81% in the election.

The ANC formed a Government of National Unity (GNU) with 11 political partners, including the DA.

South African Chief Justice Raymond Zondo presided over the swearing-in ceremony of Ramaphosa’s new Cabinet in Cape Town on Wednesday, which included the deputy president, 32 ministers and 43 deputy ministers drawn from different parties.

The MK is not part of the GNU.