GOOD Party to challenge Zille’s Joburg mayoral candidacy over residency concerns
GOOD Party has asked its legal team to assess Helen Zille’s Johannesburg registration, arguing her long-standing residence in Cape Town raises questions about her eligibility as a mayoral candidate.
The GOOD Party has asked its legal team to assess the legality of Helen Zille's registration for the Johannesburg mayoral race under the Electoral Act. Party secretary-general Brett Herron expressed concerns that Zille's registration in Johannesburg may not comply with sections 7(3) and 8(3) of the Act. Section 7(3) defines ordinary residence as the place where one normally lives and returns to after a temporary absence.
GOOD pointed out that Zille has lived in Cape Town for over 40 years, with her husband, church, and retirement village all located there. The party also noted that Zille regularly returns to Cape Town and is not committed to staying in Johannesburg if she loses the election. Section 8(3) specifies that a voter must be registered only in the ward where they are ordinarily resident.
Herron stated that Zille's presence in Johannesburg appears to be a temporary absence from Cape Town, rather than a genuine change of hometown. The GOOD Party will await legal advice before deciding whether to challenge Zille's candidacy. If advised that her candidacy is unlawful, the party will challenge it in the appropriate legal forum.
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