Tuesday, April 9, 2024 – Former President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, has been cleared by the country’s electoral court to contest the upcoming election.
In a judgement delivered on Tuesday, April 9, the court
upturned the decision made by South Africa’s Independent Electoral Commission,
SAIEC, last month, barring Zuma from contesting elections.
SAIEC had barred Zuma from contesting the forthcoming
elections due to his criminal record.
In 2021, Zuma was sentenced to 15 months of imprisonment 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 court 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.
Following the clearance, Zuma is expected to run for the
presidency on behalf of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, which he founded last
year after leaving the African National Congress, ANC.
The election is set to take place on May 29.
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