Former President Jacob Zuma has been cleared to run for office in South Africa’s upcoming general election after the Electoral Court overturned an earlier decision that had barred him from contesting. Zuma will be running on behalf of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, a new political organization he joined last year after denouncing the ruling African National Congress party. The decision paves the way for Zuma to possibly become the country’s next president, as South Africans will elect members of the General Assembly on May 29, with lawmakers in the new parliament choosing the president a month later.
The Independent Electoral Commission had initially ruled that Zuma could not run for office due to his criminal record, as South Africa’s constitution does not allow people convicted of a crime and sentenced to more than 12 months in prison to stand for elections. Zuma was convicted and sentenced to 15 months in prison in 2021 for defying a court order related to corruption allegations during his presidential term from 2009 to 2018. However, the Electoral Court’s decision to dismiss the objection against his candidacy means that Zuma will now appear on the ballot as the uMkhonto weSizwe Party’s presidential candidate, with a chance of being elected as a lawmaker.
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party welcomed the court decision to allow Zuma to run for office, stating that it had always believed the electoral commission’s decision to bar him was wrong. The party’s spokesman, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, expressed excitement over the verdict, emphasizing that Zuma’s rights needed to be upheld. While Zuma is expected to secure a seat in parliament through the party, it remains uncertain if the MK will be able to secure a parliamentary majority needed for its candidate to be chosen for the presidency.
Political analyst Dirk Kotze believes that Zuma will likely leverage his court victory to further his argument that the initial ban on his candidacy was part of a political campaign against him. Zuma’s return to the political arena has stirred controversy and concern, especially given his past corruption allegations and criminal convictions. However, the Electoral Court’s decision has opened the door for Zuma to potentially make a significant comeback in South African politics, with the possibility of leading the country once again. The upcoming election will undoubtedly be closely watched as the nation awaits the outcome of Zuma’s political aspirations.
