In the latest episode of the Jacob Zuma saga…
The Constitutional Court has ruled that former president Jacob Zuma is ineligible to stand for parliament in the upcoming May 29 elections. The decision, handed down on Monday, confirms that Zuma’s criminal record prevents him from becoming a Member of Parliament. This ruling could have far-reaching implications for his political career and the electoral prospects of his uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party.
Despite getting a presidential ‘get-out-of-jail-early’ card from Cyril Ramaphosa in 2021, which saw Zuma serve less than three months of his 15-month sentence, the court ruled that the original sentence still counts for disqualification purposes.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) had initially declared Zuma unable to run in the election, a decision temporarily overturned by the Electoral Court. However, the Constitutional Court’s ruling now reinstates the IEC’s original position. The Constitutional Court criticised the Electoral Court’s interpretation of the law, stating it undermined judicial authority and the rule of law. That’s legal speak for, ‘What were you thinking?’
For Zuma, this is yet another bump in a road that’s more pothole than pavement. But let’s not count him out just yet. Zuma has proven resilient, using his legal struggles to fuel a “victim” narrative that resonates with his supporters. His exclusion from parliament could paradoxically strengthen his political influence by galvanising his support base.
And let’s not forget Zuma’s MK party. They might be down a candidate, but his face will still be on the ballot paper. Yes, you read that right. The ballots are already printed, with voters abroad already casting their votes over the weekend. MK’s rally at Orlando Stadium in Soweto drew quite the crowd, but whether that translates to votes is another story.
The Constitutional Court’s decision also ends weeks of legal uncertainty, allowing the IEC to proceed with election preparations.
Zuma’s immediate political ambitions might be on ice, but don’t count him out. His knack for turning legal lemons into political lemonade is impressive. The upcoming elections will show us if this latest twist is the start of a comeback or just another chapter in the ever-dramatic Zuma chronicles.
