" Constitutional Court has made it clear that there is no distinction between a conviction in a normal criminal process and conviction for contempt of court" - Legal expert, Benedict Phiri Update@Noon

The Constitutional Court has found that the Electoral Commission (IEC) is empowered to determine qualification for membership of the National Assembly before the May polls. The legal counsel for the MK Party and former President, Jacob Zuma, had argued that the IEC acted outside its jurisdiction when it upheld an objection against Zuma in terms of Section 47(1)(e) of the Constitution, and that only the National Assembly had this power. However, the apex court found that the Electoral Act empowers the Commission to determine eligibility of candidates to stand for public office. The court overturned the order of the Electoral Court that dismissed the objection against the former President. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to legal expert, Benedict Phiri.