Former South African President Jacob Zuma is not eligible to run in upcoming elections, the Independent Electoral Commission has ruled.

The commission said at a media briefing that it had upheld an objection against Mr Zuma’s candidacy in the May 29 elections.

In July 2021, Mr Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison for defying a court order to appear before a judicial commission that was investigating corruption allegations during his 2009-2018 presidency.

He was granted medical parole after two months and allowed to serve the rest of the sentence under house arrest.

South Africa’s Constitution bars people convicted and sentenced to more than 12 months’ imprisonment, without an option of a fine, from holding public office.


Mr Zuma and his legal team stormed out of the judicial proceedings when he was asked about wide-ranging allegations of corruption during his rule, including the role of an Indian family, the Guptas, who allegedly had influence over his Cabinet appointments.

The 81-year-old has until April 2 to appeal against the commission’s ruling.

He is the now face of a new political party, uMkhonto weSizwe Party, abbreviated as MK, that has emerged as a potentially significant player in South Africa’s upcoming elections after he denounced the governing African National Congress, which he had previously led.

The new party is named after the former military wing of the ANC which was disbanded at the end of white minority rule and racial segregation policies under the former apartheid regime.

Mr Zuma’s announcement that he is leaving the ANC has been one of the notable developments ahead of the elections.

His face is on the MK Party’s election posters, he is the party’s most prominent figure and the main speaker at their election rallies.

His battle against the ANC has landed in some of the country’s highest courts, with the MK Party scoring a victory this week when a court ruled against the ANC’s application to deregister the MK Party and ban it from participating in the elections.

In a separate case, the ANC is contesting the MK Party’s use of its name and logo, which closely resembles that of the ANC’s former military wing.

Local news outlet News24 reported that Mr Zuma was involved in a car accident on Thursday, but was unharmed.

God1000:
He has also been barred from running as a candidate in may general election, It is believed that his 15-month jail sentence given in 2021 for contempt of court constitutionally excludes him.


something that can never happen in Nigeria

YesDaddyTill203:



CRAP

Pls, tell us one person who has been convicted of a felonious crime in Nigeria is still allowed to run for the presidency.
Just one pls....

YesDaddyTill203:



CRAP

Pls, tell us one person who has been convicted of a felonious crime in Nigeria is still allowed to run for the presidency.
Just one pls....

Racoon:
In Nigeria's case, the seating incumbent that was involved in heroin running, electoral robbery, identity theft, forged certificate, possessing dual passport, parading illicit cash for vote buying was validate by the same court.

God1000:
crap how? Name one former president in Nigeria that has been barred from running for election by the court, they are too big and more powerful than the system itself.

Ordinary invitation by EFCC, they will not honor it

Greenbirth:
That is what is supposed to happen to that useless Tilubu, a fraudulent star that came in through back door and destroyed everything that was there before he came in. And some animals especially from South West are still supporting him . now everyone looks forward to receiving palliatives that would never come.

Greenbirth:
That is what is supposed to happen to that useless Tilubu, a fraudulent star that came in through back door and destroyed everything that was there before he came in. And some animals especially from South West are still supporting him . now everyone looks forward to receiving palliatives that would never come.

Greenbirth:
That is what is supposed to happen to that useless Tilubu, a fraudulent star that came in through back door and destroyed everything that was there before he came in. And some animals especially from South West are still supporting him . now everyone looks forward to receiving palliatives that would never come.