Zuma Cleared to Run in South Africa’s General Election
PRETORIA — In a surprising turn of events, South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma has been granted permission to participate in May’s general election after an electoral court overturned a ban on his candidacy.
Last month, the electoral commission had disqualified Zuma due to a contempt of court conviction, citing the constitution’s restrictions on individuals holding public office if convicted of a crime and sentenced to more than 12 months in prison.
Despite his controversial reputation, the 81-year-old Zuma has been actively campaigning for the newly formed uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party, a breakaway from the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
Zuma, who served as president from 2009 to 2018 before stepping down amidst corruption allegations, has been a polarizing figure in South African politics.
Although he was sentenced to 15 months in jail in 2021 for refusing to testify in a corruption probe, Zuma was released after serving only three months on medical grounds.
The court’s decision to allow Zuma to run in the upcoming election could have significant implications for the political landscape in South Africa.
As the face of the MK opposition party, named after the ANC’s former military wing, Zuma positions himself as the rightful successor to the revolutionary legacy of the ANC, once led by Nelson Mandela.
With this legal victory, Zuma is now poised to be the leading candidate for the MK party in the upcoming election.
Unlike a direct presidential vote, South Africans elect members of the National Assembly, with the leader of the majority party typically assuming the role of the country’s leader.
This ruling not only boosts Zuma’s chances but also deals a blow to the ANC, which faces a challenging election after three decades in power.
Several opinion polls suggest that the ANC’s vote share may dip below 50% for the first time since the country’s transition to democracy in 1994. — BBC
