South Africa’s highest court has disqualified former President Jacob Zuma from contesting for parliament in the upcoming general election.
The Constitutional Court stated that his 15-month prison sentence for contempt of court renders him ineligible.
Mr. Zuma was convicted in 2021 for refusing to testify at an inquiry investigating corruption during his presidency, which concluded in 2018.
He has been actively campaigning under the banner of the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party after his falling out with the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
MK secretary general Sihle Ngubane expressed disappointment with the ruling but affirmed that it would not impact the party’s campaign.
“He is still the leader of the party. It [the judgment] doesn’t affect our campaign at all,” he said.
Mr. Ngubane further stated that Mr. Zuma’s image would remain on the ballot paper for the 29th of May election.
In South Africa, citizens vote for political parties, and the candidates listed at the top of their respective parties’ lists secure parliamentary seats based on the number of votes their party receives.
Outside the court, some members of the MK sang and danced, while inside, others, adorned in traditional Zulu attire, sat quietly as the judgment was delivered.
Mr. Zuma has not yet provided any comment on the ruling.
ANC leader and South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa, acknowledged the ruling during an interview with a local radio station.
“The court has ruled, and as I have often said, that is the highest court in the land and we have given the judiciary the right to arbitrate disputes amongst us in terms of our constitution,” he said in an interview with 702.
MK’s emergence has raised the prospect that the ANC could lose its parliamentary majority for the first time since the end of apartheid 30 years ago.
uMkhonto we Sizwe is the original name of the ANC’s armed wing, which fought apartheid.
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