Former South African President Jacob Zuma Disqualified from Next Week’s National Election

Former South African President Jacob Zuma was disqualified on Monday from participating in the upcoming national election due to a previous criminal conviction. This decision by the country’s highest court is likely to escalate political tensions ahead of the pivotal vote.

The Constitutional Court ruled that a section of the constitution, which disqualifies individuals sentenced to more than 12 months in prison without the option of a fine from standing for office, applies to the 82-year-old Zuma. He was sentenced to 15 months in prison in 2021 for contempt of court after refusing to testify at a judicial inquiry into government corruption.

Zuma had initially been disqualified by the Independent Electoral Commission. However, he won an appeal to the Electoral Court, which argued that because he had no option to appeal the Constitutional Court’s ruling, the disqualification should not apply. On Monday, the Constitutional Court overturned that decision, stating that Zuma is ineligible to run for Parliament for five years from the completion of his sentence.

Zuma, who served as South Africa’s president from 2009 to 2018 before resigning amidst corruption allegations, re-entered politics last year with a new party and has been critical of the ruling African National Congress (ANC).

The upcoming election is expected to be a significant challenge for the ANC, which has governed for 30 years since the end of apartheid. The party is at risk of losing its majority for the first time, potentially leading to a coalition government. Zuma’s new MK Party is anticipated to attract some of the ANC’s votes due to his popularity in certain regions.

Zuma, who was also poised for a controversial return to Parliament, faces additional corruption charges in a separate case set for trial next April, to which he has pleaded not guilty.