In a pivotal decision that is set to reshape the political landscape of South Africa, the Constitutional Court has ruled that former President Jacob Zuma is not eligible to run for parliament in the upcoming South African election 2024. This ruling, delivered on Monday, cites Zuma’s 15-month jail sentence for contempt of court in 2021 as the disqualifying factor, adhering to the constitutional provision that prohibits anyone with a prison sentence of 12 months or more from holding a parliamentary seat.
The court’s verdict has intensified the already charged political atmosphere as the nation heads into a crucial vote on May 29. The ruling unequivocally states, “It is declared that Mr. Zuma was convicted of an offence 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 resigned from the presidency in 2018 amid widespread controversy, has had a turbulent relationship with the governing African National Congress (ANC). Recently, he has thrown his support behind the newly formed uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party, raising the stakes for the ANC, which faces significant challenges in maintaining its political dominance after 30 years in power.
Opinion polls indicate that the ANC’s grip on power is weakening, and Zuma’s influence, particularly in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), remains substantial. Zuma’s imprisonment in 2021 led to violent unrest in KZN, resulting in over 300 deaths and widespread looting. This historical context heightens concerns about potential unrest following the court’s decision.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has addressed these concerns head-on, assuring the public that any attempts to incite violence will be swiftly dealt with. “I’m not concerned about this instigating violence,” Ramaphosa stated firmly. “We have rule of law in South Africa that governs us. Once a Constitutional Court has decided, that is it and should there be any threat of violence, our security forces are ready.”
Zuma’s disqualification by the Constitutional Court overturned a previous decision by the Electoral Court, which had temporarily allowed his candidacy on the grounds that he had exhausted all avenues for appealing his contempt conviction. Despite this setback, Zuma remains a prominent figure within the MK party and will still appear on ballots as its registered leader.
Political analyst Fahmida Miller, reporting from Johannesburg, emphasized that the impact of this ruling on Zuma’s supporters may be limited. “The question is whether or not this makes a very big difference for Zuma specifically. He remains the leader of the MK party … He can still appear on the ballot paper as the face of the party. For many supporters of the MK party, it may not make much of a difference,” Miller noted.
