JOHANNESBURG: A South African court on Tuesday ruled that former president Jacob Zuma can contest general elections in May, overturning an electoral authority’s decision to bar him over a contempt conviction.
The court in a surprise verdict ruled in favour of the 81-year-old leader. Zuma is currently leading uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), opposition party and is a potential upsetter in the May 29 polls.
South Africa’s general elections are expected to be the most competitive since 1994 and Zuma’s presence in the campaign could be a key factor.
MK is likely to cut the vote share of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) — the ex-president’s former party.
The party hailed the verdict terming it a triumph over ANC-led efforts to marginalize it.
It added that the impact of victory is beyond President Zuma as the MK Party symbolizes a victory for every South African who believes in democracy, fairness, and the inviolable right to elect leaders of their own choice, free from interference.
Zuma to be on ballot paper
The ex-leader’s daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, while posting a photo of her smiling father on social media said now President Zuma’s name will be on the ballot paper.
The electoral commission said it had taken note of the court’s ruling but asked the reasons to be made public.
It added the commission is taking legal advice on the verdict and will make any further move based on such advice.
The body had barred Zuma from the electoral race, saying the constitution does not allow anyone convicted to more than 12 months’ imprisonment to contest for any public office.
The court awarded Zuma 15 months jail sentence in June 2021 after he refused to testify to a panel investigating his financial corruption.
His lawyers during the case argued the sentence did not disqualify him as it followed civil proceedings.
Zuma was released on medical parole just two months into his jail term.
The ANC is struggling in the upcoming election amid a weak economy and accusations of mismanagement and corruption.
Some opinion polls say that theMK would make it the third or fourth political force behind the ANC and the liberal Democratic Alliance.
The MK relies on the political clout of Zuma, who despite graft allegations and scandals, is still popular, especially among the country’s more than 10 million Zulus.
Tensions between the ANC and MK have been high in recent months.
The ANC has already tried to disqualify the new party and has taken it to the court to stop it from using the MK name.
More than 350 people were killed in 2021 in riots, protests and looting sparked by the jailing of Zuma.
South Africans will be voting for a new parliament in May which will elect the new president.
