Court clears Jacob Zuma to contest South Africa’s election

South Africa’s electoral court has ruled that former President Jacob Zuma can run for office in the country’s upcoming election.

The judgment which was delivered on Tuesday overturns the decision made by South Africa’s Independent Electoral Commission last month, barring Zuma from contesting elections due to his criminal record.

The former president was convicted and sentenced to 15 months imprisonment in 2021 for defying a court order to appear before a judicial commission.

The probe was centred on corruption allegations in government and state-owned companies during Zuma’s presidential term from 2009 to 2018.

However, in a brief order, the electoral court said an appeal by Zuma and his party was successful, noting that the objection against his candidature had been dismissed.

“The decision of the Electoral Commission… is set aside,” the court wrote without explaining how the verdict was reached.

With the ruling, Zuma can now run for South Africa’s top position on behalf of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, which he founded last year after leaving the African National Congress (ANC).

The election which is set to hold on May 29 is expected to be the country’s most competitive vote since democracy began in 1994.

Banking on Zuma’s popularity, analysts believe the MK party may cut well into the vote share of the already embattled ruling ANC.

The ruling party is struggling in the polls amid a weak economy and allegations of corruption and mismanagement.