IN a significant turn of events, South Africa’s Electoral Court has granted former President Jacob Zuma the green light to participate in the upcoming election as a lawmaker, despite his criminal record. The decision, announced on Tuesday, marks a reversal of an earlier ruling that had barred Zuma from contesting in the polls.
This development opens the door for Zuma to potentially vie for the presidency under the banner of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, a new political entity he aligned with last year following his estrangement from the African National Congress (ANC), the party he once led.
The controversy arose when the Independent Electoral Commission initially disqualified Zuma’s candidacy due to his criminal conviction. This decision stemmed from an objection filed against his eligibility to run for office.
Under South Africa’s constitution, individuals convicted of serious crimes and sentenced to more than 12 months in prison without the option of a fine are ineligible to stand for election as lawmakers. Zuma, who served as president from 2009 to 2018, was handed a 15-month prison sentence in 2021 for failing to comply with a court order to testify before a commission investigating corruption allegations within the government and state-owned enterprises during his tenure.
However, the Electoral Court’s brief announcement on Tuesday revealed that Zuma and his party had successfully appealed the disqualification, leading to the dismissal of the objection against his candidacy.
This decision sets the stage for a potentially contentious election, with Zuma’s candidacy likely to stir debate and draw scrutiny from various quarters. As South Africa prepares for the upcoming polls, the political landscape appears poised for heightened tension and competition.