Jacob Zuma banned from seeking re-election as president
By Staff Reporter
Former South African president Jacob Zuma’s political ambitions have been dealt a blow after the Independent Electoral Commission in that country has made a bombshell declaration the charismatic veteran politician is not eligible to seek re-election because of his criminal record.
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In interviews with local media, the poll authority referred to Section 47(e) of outh Africa’s constitution, which prohibits those convicted and sentenced to more than 12 months imprisonment, without an option of a fine, from holding public office.
“Every citizen who is qualified to vote for the National Assembly is eligible to be a member of the Assembly, except anyone who, after this section took effect, is convicted of an offence and sentenced to more than 12 months imprisonment without the option of a fine, either in the Republic, or outside if the conduct constituting the offence would have been an offence in the Republic.
“Therefore, this provision renders Former President JG Zuma disqualified to be on the list of any party contesting an election or to contest as an independent in the upcoming 2024 elections,” said the IEC.
Zuma, South Africa’s president from 2009 to 2018 announced just before the holiday season last year that he would campaign and vote for the new uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party.
Zuma was convicted and sentenced to 15 months after he was found guilty of defying a summons to appear before the State Capture Commission in 2021.
He served a few months at the Estcourt Correctional Services, and after spending some time in 1 Military Hospital, he was released on parole and subsequently received a presidential pardon after the parole was declared invalid by the Constitutional Court.
