The electoral commission of South Africa, known as the IEC, has barred former President Jacob Zuma from participating in the upcoming general election in May. While the IEC has not officially stated the reason for this decision, it is widely believed that Zuma’s 2021 conviction and subsequent imprisonment for contempt of court have rendered him ineligible for candidacy.
Zuma’s involvement with the newly formed uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party has raised concerns, particularly for the ruling African National Congress (ANC), which suspended Zuma amidst corruption allegations during his presidency. The 81-year-old politician, who served as president from 2009 until 2018, stepped down amidst mounting corruption allegations.
The MK party, named after the ANC’s former military wing, has positioned itself as a continuation of the ANC’s revolutionary legacy, with Zuma asserting himself as the rightful successor to the governing party’s ideals. Despite the ANC’s efforts to deregister the MK party, the electoral commission rejected the request, allowing the party to participate in the elections.
Zuma, who was slated as the top candidate on the MK party’s list, faced objections from the electoral commission regarding his eligibility to serve in the National Assembly. The commission upheld these objections, effectively disqualifying him from running in the election. Zuma has until April 2 to appeal this decision.
Nhlamulo Ndlhela, a spokesperson for the MK party, indicated that they are considering the merits of the objection and plan to appeal the decision. However, Zuma’s legal troubles extend beyond his contempt of court conviction; he is also facing corruption charges related to a multi-billion-dollar arms deal from the 1990s.
Despite Zuma’s disqualification, the MK party is still permitted to participate in the upcoming election. This development comes at a crucial time for South Africa, with several opinion polls suggesting that the ANC’s vote share could potentially drop below 50% for the first time since the country’s transition to democracy in 1994. The MK party, particularly popular in Zuma’s home region of KwaZulu-Natal, adds a new dimension to the political landscape as the nation prepares for the election.