South Africa presidential election: Court clears Jacob Zuma

Former President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, has been cleared to contest the upcoming election by the country’s electoral court.

In a judgement delivered on Tuesday, the court upturned the decision made by South Africa’s Independent Electoral Commission, SAIEC, last month, barring Zuma from contesting elections.

SAIEC had barred Zuma from contesting the forthcoming elections due to his criminal record.

In 2021, Zuma was sentenced to 15 months of imprisonment for defying a court order to appear before a judicial commission.

The probe was centred on corruption allegations in government and state-owned companies during Zuma’s presidential term from 2009 to 2018.

However, in a brief court order, the electoral court said an appeal by Zuma and his party was successful, noting that the objection against his candidature had been dismissed.

“The decision of the Electoral Commission is set aside,” the court wrote.

Following the clearance, Zuma is expected to run for the presidency on behalf of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, which he founded last year after leaving the African National Congress, ANC.

The election, which is set to take place on May 29, is expected to be the country’s most competitive vote since democracy began in 1994.

Banking on Zuma’s popularity, analysts believe the MK party may cut well into the vote share of the already embattled ruling ANC.