The electoral commission of South Africa has announced that former President Jacob Zuma will not be allowed to run in the upcoming elections scheduled for May.
The decision comes ahead of the general elections set for May 29, which are anticipated to be highly contested since the end of apartheid in 1994.
Zuma, who was previously jailed for contempt of court in 2021, has been actively campaigning for the newly formed uMkhonto WeSizwe (MK) party as part of his efforts to revitalise his political career.
Regarding Zuma’s candidacy, electoral commission President Mosotho Moepya stated on Thursday that an objection had been received and upheld, without providing specific details.
Both the party nominating him and the objectors have been notified of the decision, Moepya added.
The African National Congress (ANC) is teetering on the edge of falling below the 50 percent mark in the upcoming elections, marking a significant decline since its inception in 1994.
The party’s support has waned due to economic challenges, corruption scandals, and governance issues.
Should the ANC fail to secure the majority, it will be compelled to form a coalition government, a departure from its historical dominance.
Recent polls indicate the ANC hovering around 40 percent, with the Democratic Alliance at approximately 27 percent and the MK party at 13 percent.
Jacob Zuma’s presidency, marred by corruption allegations, came to an end in 2018 when Cyril Ramaphosa assumed office.
In June 2021, Zuma received a 15-month jail sentence for defying a panel investigating corruption during his presidency. His imprisonment led to widespread protests and violence, resulting in over 350 deaths.
Despite his sentence, he was released on medical parole after just two months. However, an appeals court later deemed his release illegal and ordered him back to prison.
Upon his return, he benefited from a remission of sentences for non-violent offenders approved by President Ramaphosa.
According to the electoral commission, individuals sentenced to more than 12 months in prison without the option of a fine are ineligible to run for office under the constitution.
Zuma also faces corruption charges related to an arms procurement scandal from the 1990s.
Despite these legal challenges, Zuma remains politically influential and has been campaigning for the MK party, aiming to revive his career and weaken his former party, the ANC, which suspended him in January.
While the decision to bar Zuma can be appealed until April 2, a spokesperson for the MK party indicated that they are considering their options and plan to appeal the ruling.
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