CurrentReport Blog In a landmark ruling on Monday, a South African court declared that former President Jacob Zuma is ineligible to run in the forthcoming general election, scheduled for May 29, 2024.
The Apex Court’s decision, delivered by Justice Leone Theron, hinges on constitutional provisions that disqualify individuals who have served more than a year in prison from seeking office.
Justice Theron unequivocally stated, “This court concludes that Mr. Zuma was convicted of an offence and sentenced to more than 12 months imprisonment, and is accordingly not qualified to stand for election to the National Assembly.”
This decision follows Zuma’s 2021 conviction for contempt of court, for which he was initially sentenced to 15 months in prison.
Although Zuma ultimately served less than three months, the length of his original sentence renders him ineligible under South African law.
Jacob Zuma, who served as South Africa’s president from 2009 to 2018, was convicted in 2021 after defying a court order to appear before a commission investigating corruption during his presidency.
His failure to comply led to a sentence for contempt of court, marking a significant moment in South African legal history as it underscored the judiciary’s resolve in upholding the rule of law.
The South African constitution clearly stipulates that any individual who has been sentenced to more than 12 months of imprisonment is barred from contesting in national elections.
This provision aims to ensure that candidates for public office maintain a high standard of legal and ethical integrity. Zuma’s ineligibility highlights the constitution’s role in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
