The Constitutional Court ruled that Jacob Zuma is ineligible to stand for election to Parliament, citing his prior 15-month sentence for contempt as grounds for disqualification.
Constitutional Court rules Jacob Zuma ineligible for election into Parliament
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On Monday, 20 May 2024, the Constitutional Court delivered a landmark judgment ruling Jacob Zuma was ineligible to stand for election to Parliament.
The court cited the 15-month sentence previously imposed on Zuma for contempt of court, which bars his candidacy under section 47(1)(e) of the South African Constitution.
This section disqualifies individuals who have been sentenced to more than 12 months of imprisonment from standing for election to the National Assembly for five years after completing their sentence.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) had submitted that allowing Zuma to stand for elections would undermine the rule of law and the constitutional framework.
The IEC argued that the Electoral Court’s reasoning, which initially allowed Zuma to stand, undermined the authority of the Constitutional Court.
The ConCourt’s ruling brings clarity to the interpretation of section 47(1)(e) and affirms the disqualification of Zuma based on his prior sentence.
Apex court ruling dampens Zuma’s charged MK Party rally
The ruling comes just after a charged rally by Zuma and the MK Party at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Saturday, 18 May 2024.
Thousands of supporters, many from Zuma’s home province of KwaZulu-Natal, gathered to show their support.
The rally was marked by passionate speeches, with Zuma promising sweeping changes and criticising other political parties for being driven by self-interest.
The MK Party has strongly opposed the IEC’s decision to disqualify Zuma and warned of potential unrest if they were excluded from the upcoming elections.
Statements from MK Party leaders, including threats of civil unrest, have raised concerns about potential violence.
Zuma loyalist Visvin Reddy warned that South Africa could face unprecedented anarchy if the MK Party was not allowed to campaign and participate in the elections.
What happens to Jacob Zuma and MK Party now?
Following the Constitutional Court’s ruling, Jacob Zuma is barred from standing for election to Parliament.
This decision has significant implications for the MK Party, which had positioned Zuma as a central figure in its campaign for the 29 May 2024 general elections.
The MK Party’s immediate reaction and future strategy remain uncertain.
The party’s leadership, including Zuma’s daughter Duduzile, who is poised to lead after the elections, will need to regroup and decide on their next steps.
The MK Party’s public statements have indicated a readiness to challenge the ruling, but the legal avenues available to them are limited following the Constitutional Court’s decision.
In the broader context, the ruling reinforces the constitutional provisions aimed at maintaining the integrity of the legislative body.
