CONSTITUTIONAl COURT DISMISSED PLEA BY LABOUR PARTY AND AFRICA CONGRESS FOR TRANSFORMATION

Noko Maleka 

ON 10 may 2024 the apex court has dismissed the plea put forward by Ace Magashule’s African Congress for Transformation (ACT), the Labour Party, and the Afrikan Alliance of Social Democrats, seeking an amendment to the electoral timetable. The plea aimed to allow their candidates to contest the upcoming polls.

Advocate Chris Loxton, representing the parties, argued that the Electoral Commission's (IEC) assertion of the online system's efficiency was flawed, citing that 35% of parties failed to upload their information by the 8th of March deadline. Loxton emphasized that this significant percentage indicated a failure in the system's functionality.

However, the judges scrutinized this argument, with Justice Steven Majiedt highlighting the need to delve deeper into the 35% figure. According to the IEC, some parties may have registered but never attempted to upload information, or they might have procrastinated until the last minute.

Tladi Mokwena, spokesperson for the Labour Party, expressed resilience in the face of the ruling, stating that this setback is not the end. Mokwena affirmed that after thorough deliberation within the organization, they will devise a way forward.

Meanwhile, it is speculated that the African Congress for Transformation may align itself with Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto wesizwe, given the circumstances. This potential shift hints at the evolving dynamics within South Africa's political landscape.

In conclusion, despite the dismissal of their plea, the affected parties remain undeterred, determined to navigate through the challenges and carve out their paths in the political arena.