Former President Jacob Zuma has been disqualified from standing as a candidate in the upcoming General elections.
The IEC said it took the decision following an objection against his candidature.
The commission briefed the media at its offices in Centurion on Thursday and said the MK party and others who’s candidates were disqualified have been informed.
The confirmation by the IEC follows weeks of speculation driven mostly by Zuma’s conviction and sentencing for contempt of court after refusing to appear before the Zondo commission.
“In the case of former President (Jacob) Zuma yes we did receive an objection which has been upheld. The party that nominated him has been informed and so the objectors have been informed,” said IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya.
Moepya would not be drawn into whether Zuma’s disqualification meant MK may be barred from putting his face on the ballot paper.
“We will very shortly deal with issues relating to the ballot paper. Today we would like to focus on the process of candidate nomination and the issues connected there to,” said Moepya.
The IEC said Zuma and other candidates who have now been disqualified have recourse in the form of the electoral court.
Moepya said there was no descending views when commissioners decided Zuma’s fate.
“We were unanimous. There’s a provision of the law against which we must measure an objection and is straight forward, its whether the person qualifies or does not qualify,” he said.
The MK party is yet to react formally to the decision but is on record vowing to insist on Zuma standing.