Johannesburg, South Africa (TAE)-In a surprising turn of events, South Africa’s electoral court has overturned a previous decision that barred former President Jacob Zuma from running in the upcoming general election, scheduled for May. This ruling comes after the electoral commission last month disqualified him due to a contempt of court conviction, which involved a sentence exceeding 12 months.
Jacob Zuma, who is 81 years old, has been actively campaigning for the newly established uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party, named after the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC) during the apartheid era. Despite his controversial tenure and resignation from the presidency in 2018 amid allegations of corruption, Zuma remains a significant political figure.
The former president’s brief imprisonment in 2021 for failing to testify in a corruption probe was cut short to three months on health grounds. His conviction had initially led to his disqualification based on constitutional grounds that prevent convicted individuals from holding public office if sentenced to more than a year in prison.
This latest court decision allows Zuma to lead the MK party in the elections. He claims to represent the “true heir” to the revolutionary roots of the ANC, famously led by Nelson Mandela. This development poses a potential challenge to the ANC, which has been the dominant force in South African politics since the end of apartheid in 1994.
South Africa’s electoral system does not involve direct voting for the president. Instead, voters elect members of the National Assembly, and the leader of the majority party typically becomes the president. This system could allow Zuma to become a pivotal player in the formation of the next government if the MK party secures significant support.
The ruling is a critical blow to the ANC, which is facing a tough election battle. For the first time since the democratic era began in 1994, opinion polls suggest that the ANC’s vote share might drop below 50%. This election could redefine the political landscape in South Africa, with Zuma’s reinstatement adding an unpredictable element to the race.
