Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Court Bars South Africa's ex-leader Zuma From Standing in Election

POSTED ON May 20, 2024 •   Politics      BY Benedicta Bassey
Former South Africa president, Jacob Zuma / Photo credit: The Mall

A court sitting in South Africa on Monday barred former president Jacob Zuma from running for parliament in this month's election.

This move by the court would however triggered tension from Zuma supporters.

The constitutional court found Zuma's 15-month jail sentence for contempt of court in 2021 disqualified him from standing in the May 29 election, as the constitution prohibits anyone given a prison sentence of 12 months or longer from holding a parliamentary seat.

According to the court ruling, "It is declared that Mr. Zuma was convicted of an offence and sentenced to more than 12 months' imprisonment,  and not eligible to be a member of, and not qualified to stand for election to, the National Assembly."

Zuma, who was forced to quit as president in 2018, has fallen out with the governing African National Congress (ANC) and has been campaigning for a new party called uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) named after the ANC's formed armed wing.

Opinion polls according to Reuter, places ANC's majority at risk after 30 years in power, and MK represents a threat to it, especially in Zuma's home province of KwaZulu-Natal where he is popular.
In 2021 Zuma's jailing triggered riots in KwaZulu-Natal in which more than 300 people died and which morphed into a wider spate of looting.

President Cyril Ramaphosa while granting an interview to a local radio station 702, said: "I'm not concerned about this instigating violence. 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," he said.


South Africa's electoral commission originally disqualified Zuma in March, but a month later a court overturned the disqualification saying the relevant section of the constitution applied only to people who had a chance to appeal against their sentences, which had not been Zuma's case.
The electoral commission then took the case to the constitutional court, stating that, "previously that even if Zuma was disqualified from standing as a member of parliament, his face will still appear on ballots this month as he is the registered leader of the MK party."

An Ipsos opinion poll published in April put support for MK at roughly 8%, versus just over 40% for the ANC.

While the ANC is still on track to get the most votes, if it gets less than 50% support it would have to seek one or more coalition partners to govern the country, the first such alliance since the party swept to power under liberation hero Nelson Mandela at the end of apartheid.

At a campaign rally for his MK at the weekend,  Zuma told thousands of supporters in a stadium in South Africa's biggest township Soweto that his party would provide free education for disadvantaged children and create jobs.

READ ALSO
Coalition urges  Tinubu to tackle rising political motivated killings in Benue
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 6, 2025 0

BENUE, Nigeria - The Coalition for Civil Society in Nigeria has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to...

READ ALSO
SERAP urges Tinubu to reject $1.08bn W’Bank loan amid missing N233bn allegations
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 6, 2025 0

ABUJA,Nigeria - The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bol...

READ ALSO
Rivers administrator seeks legislative support for socio-economic development
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 5, 2025 0

RIVERS, Nigeria - The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd), has requ...

READ ALSO
Rivers sole administrator unveils 2025 budget amid protests against emergency rule
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 4, 2025 0

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has announced plans for a new bu...

READ ALSO
Kano praises Emir Sanusi II’s leadership qualities in reinstatement ceremony
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 2, 2025 0

KANO, Nigeria - Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has stated that his government reinstated Khalifa Muhammad...

READ ALSO
APC caution Cross River members against unauthorize legal suits
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 1, 2025 0

RIVERS, Nigeria - The cross Rivers chapter of the All Progressives Congress has wa...

READ ALSO
SERAP urges withdrawal of bill targeting Non-Voters in Nigeria
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 31, 2025 0

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has appealed to Senate President Godswi...

READ ALSO
Amid doubts and challenges,Tinubu celebrates 73rd birthday with gratitude to Nigerians
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 30, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu shared that he nearly abandoned his presidential ambitions for 2023 due to a m...

OUR CHANNELS:

FG reopens independence bridge after urgent repairs, promises future safety measure
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 5, 2025 0

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has formally reopened the Independence Bridge after several days...


IMF warns U.S. tariffs could threaten global economic stability
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 6, 2025 0

The managing director of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, has voiced her appre...


High court upholds EFCC's forfeiture request on FIRS employee's properties
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 6, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of two properties...


Kanu optimistic about release as Igbo leader calls for stronger advocacy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 6, 2025 0

The President-General of the Igbo Community Association (ICA) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)...


Rivers sole administrator unveils 2025 budget amid protests against emergency rule
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 6, 2025 0

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has announced plans for a new bu...


Ogun police respond to rising attacks at Sagamu interchange
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 5, 2025 0

There are worries regarding the attacks and killings by hoodlums targeting commuters traveling to Ab...


Rwanda match takes precedence as Super Eagles eye world cup qualification
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 5, 2025 0

Super Eagles Coach, Eric Chelle, has indicated that his team will place greater emphasis on the upco...


LASU celebrates 28th convocation with Over 11,000 graduates, honors distinguished Nigerians
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 3, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - Lagos State University (LASU) announced on Thursday that it will be graduating no l...


Federal high court orders forfeiture of $20,000 from traveler for customs violation
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 6, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - A Federal High Court in Lagos has mandated the forfeiture of $20,000 seized by the...


German eye Nigeria's mineral wealth as foreign direct investments surge
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 5, 2025 0

Ongoing initiatives to draw in Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) seem to be bearing fruit, as certai...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu