South Africa’s highest court ruled on Monday that former president Jacob Zuma, who has faced numerous graft allegations, is ineligible to stand for parliament in next week’s general election. This decision is expected to outrage Zuma’s supporters and raise concerns about potential violent unrest leading up to the highly competitive May 29 poll.
The Constitutional Court dismissed Zuma’s challenge against an electoral commission’s decision, which barred him due to a prior conviction for contempt of court. The constitution prohibits anyone sentenced to more than 12 months in jail from being an MP. Justice Leona Theron stated, “This court concludes that Mr. Zuma was convicted of an offense and sentenced to more than 12 months imprisonment… and is accordingly not eligible to be a member of and not qualified to stand for election to the national assembly.”
Zuma, who left office in 2018 amid corruption allegations, served less than three months of a 15-month sentence for contempt of court in 2021. Despite his early release, the court maintained the conviction made him ineligible for office.
Supporters of Zuma, including those from his newly-formed uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party, have vowed to continue their political fight. Many gathered outside the court, some dressed in military fatigues, expressing their determination to win enough seats to amend the constitution. “We are very disappointed. There is an agenda, of course, to delay the liberation of black people in this country,” said Lindiwe Mtshali, a 39-year-old MK party member.
Opinion polls suggest Zuma’s party may struggle outside his home province of KwaZulu-Natal, but his recent rally in Soweto drew a crowd of 30,000, showcasing his enduring support. “We are resolute,” Mtshali added, emphasizing their determination despite the setback.
The ruling underscores the significance of constitutional adherence for candidates. Neeshan Balton, executive director of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, welcomed the decision, saying, “It reaffirms that if you want to be a candidate, you must pledge as a candidate that you will uphold the constitution. The former president clearly was not going to uphold the constitution, and we are happy that he’s disqualified.”
With the ANC facing its most challenging election since the end of apartheid in 1994, Zuma’s exclusion could impact the party’s traditional support base, potentially forcing current President Cyril Ramaphosa into coalition negotiations. The ANC has been plagued by corruption allegations, high crime rates, and soaring unemployment, yet it remains a powerful political force due to its historical significance and extensive social welfare programs.
The decision to disqualify Zuma may provoke unrest, reminiscent of the deadly riots following his 2021 imprisonment, which resulted in over 350 deaths. The Independent Electoral Commission confirmed that ballots already printed with Zuma’s image would not be altered, though he would be barred from sitting as an MP if elected.
