The Constitutional Court says that failure to comply with the court’s conviction in 2021 disqualifies the former president for the May 29 elections.
Former South African president Jacob Zuma has been barred from running for parliament in next week’s general election.
The Constitutional Court ruled on Monday that Zuma’s 15-month prison sentence for contempt of court in 2021 disqualifies him from standing in the May 29 elections. The decision is likely to increase political tension ahead of the crucial vote.
The decision is based on South Africa’s Constitution, which prohibits anyone sentenced to a prison sentence of 12 months or more from holding a parliamentary seat.
“It is hereby declared that Mr Zuma has been convicted of a criminal offense and sentenced to more than 12 months imprisonment… and is therefore not eligible for membership and is not qualified to stand for election to the National Assembly,” said the court. .
Zuma, 82, who was forced to resign as president in 2018, has fallen out with the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and has been campaigning for the new uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party.
Opinion polls suggest the ANC’s majority is at risk after 30 years in power, and MK poses a threat, especially in Zuma’s home province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), where it remains popular.
Zuma’s arrest in 2021 triggered deadly riots in the province, with more than 300 people killed and a massive wave of looting unleashed.
President Cyril Ramaphosa promised in comments to South African media that authorities will crack down on any unrest. “I’m not worried about this instigating violence,” he said. “We have a rule of law in South Africa that governs us. As soon as the Constitutional Court rules, that’s it, and if there is any threat of violence, our security forces are prepared.”
‘Face’ of the MK party
Zuma was initially disqualified by the South African Electoral Commission (IEC), which conducts elections in the country. However, he won an appeal to the Electoral Court, which stated that, as he had no options to appeal against the contempt decision, it did not apply to his situation.
The Constitutional Court annulled the decision on Monday. It stated that Zuma is not allowed to run for parliament for five years from the date his sentence was served.
However, even with Zuma disqualified from running, his face will still appear on the ballot this month as he is the registered leader of MK.
Zuma may also appeal the court’s decision, said Al Jazeera’s Fahmida Miller, reporting from Johannesburg after the court’s decision, but it remains to be seen whether he will do so.
“The question is whether or not this makes a big difference specifically for Zuma. He remains the leader of the MK party… He can still appear at the polls as the face of the party. For many MK party supporters, this may not make much difference,” Miller said.
“It is not known whether Jacob Zuma planned to take up a seat in parliament,” the correspondent added.
If Zuma served as a member of parliament, “he would lose the benefits he has as a former president – whether it be his pension or his security”.
Zuma was South African president from 2009 to 2018, but resigned under a cloud of corruption accusations, and the legal problems of his term continue.
He faces corruption charges in a separate case that is expected to go to trial next April. He pleaded not guilty.
This story originally appeared on Aljazeera.com read the full story
