Jacob Zuma's Eligibility for South Africa's Election Tested in Constitutional Court

JOHANNESBURG, May 10 – The Constitutional Court of South Africa convened today to deliberate on the eligibility of former President Jacob Zuma to run for parliament in the upcoming national elections on May 29. This pivotal legal battle could shape the political landscape amid forecasts of shifting power dynamics.

Jacob Zuma, 82, a prominent figure compelled to resign in 2018 and sentenced to imprisonment in 2021, has been a key figure in the new political party, uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK). His candidacy is central to MK's influence, particularly in his stronghold of KwaZulu Natal.

Polls indicate that the African National Congress (ANC), in power for three decades, might lose its majority, with MK poised as a significant contender.

The controversy originated from a March ruling by the electoral commission disqualifying Zuma based on constitutional grounds that bar individuals sentenced to over 12 months from parliamentary seats.

However, a subsequent court ruling in April challenged this decision, citing that the disqualification should not apply to those who have not had the opportunity to appeal their sentences, as in Zuma's case.

The appeal by the electoral commission to the highest court brings Zuma back into the spotlight, potentially stirring political and security tensions across the nation.