South Africa's highest court has prohibited Jacob Zuma from holding office as a lawmaker.
The highest court in South Africa has prohibited Jacob Zuma from participating as a candidate in the upcoming general election, citing his 15-month jail term for contempt of court as disqualifying.
This ruling stems from his refusal to testify in a corruption inquiry during his presidency, which concluded in 2018.
Zuma, now aligned with the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party following a rift with the ruling African National Congress (ANC), remains undeterred by the verdict, according to MK Secretary General Sihle Ngubane. Despite disappointment over the decision, the party asserts that Zuma remains its leader, and the ruling will not impede its campaign efforts.
Zuma's name will still appear on the ballot for the May 29 election, as South Africans vote for parties rather than individual candidates, with parliamentary seats allocated based on party vote shares.