Former South African President Jacob Zuma has sharply criticized some of the nation’s top judges following his disqualification from running for parliament on Monday.
In his first interview since the disqualification, Mr. Zuma told the BBC that the Constitutional Court erred in ruling him unfit to run due to his 2021 conviction for contempt of court.
“I expected this from our judges, but they are absolutely wrong. Not correct,” the 82-year-old stated, suggesting that the constitution should be amended.
Mr. Zuma had been campaigning for the upcoming general election under the banner of the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party after parting ways with the ruling African National Congress (ANC), which he once led.
The electoral commission maintained that the constitution prohibits anyone sentenced to over 12 months in prison from becoming a lawmaker—a stance supported by the Constitutional Court judges.
Mr. Zuma was convicted in 2021 for refusing to testify at a corruption inquiry concerning his presidency. His lawyers argued he should be eligible to become an MP since his sentence was reduced to three months after President Cyril Ramaphosa released him in an effort seen as placating Zuma’s supporters.
“The Constitutional Court judges have treated me unfairly,” Mr. Zuma told the BBC. “They are ignoring the will of the people and imposing their own.”
Serving as president from 2009 to 2018, Zuma was ousted as ANC leader amid allegations of extensive corruption, known as “state capture,” which diverted hundreds of millions of dollars of public funds into private hands. Zuma has always denied direct involvement in corruption and is set to face bribery charges next year.
He asserted to the BBC that his removal as ANC leader was unjust, with no evidence presented to justify it.
“I don’t understand ‘state capture.’ If people say I am corrupt, what did I do? Do you have any facts? Am I guilty?”
Mr. Zuma’s MK party had previously advocated for changing South Africa’s constitution, established 30 years ago during the country’s transition to democracy after decades of white-minority rule. In light of his election ban, Zuma reiterated the need for constitutional reform.
“This constitution, influenced by European laws, doesn’t fit Africa,” he said. “We remain under the control of those who enslaved, oppressed, and imposed their laws on us. These details clash with our lives.”
An Ipsos poll last month showed MK with 8% of the vote and the ANC with 40%, as the ANC loses support to MK and other opposition parties. Analysts suggest the ANC could still surpass the 50% mark with a robust campaign, but if it falls short, it would lose its parliamentary majority for the first time in 30 years.
MK is projected to perform particularly well in Zuma’s home region of KwaZulu-Natal, potentially ending ANC dominance there.
Following Zuma’s imprisonment for contempt of court in 2021, his supporters triggered deadly riots, resulting in over 300 deaths. Zuma claimed this violence reflected his strong public support.
“This shows the masses love Zuma,” he said on Wednesday.
When asked by the BBC if he would call for peace ahead of next week’s election, Mr. Zuma replied, “I’ve always done so.”
