JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Former South African President Jacob Zuma was barred Monday from running for Parliament in next week’s national election over a previous criminal conviction, the latest twist in his return to politics.
The decision by the country’s highest court, the Constitutional Court, may still be appealed. It ruled that Zuma is only eligible to serve as a lawmaker five years after his 2021 sentence for contempt of court was completed.
Zuma is now the leader of a new party, uMkhonto weSizwe Party, and is campaigning against the long-ruling African National Congress he once led.
Analysts say the ANC, which has comfortably held power since Nelson Mandela became the country’s first Black president in 1994, might receive less than 50% of votes in next Wednesday’s election and lose its parliamentary majority.
That would be the ANC’s worst electoral performance since it came into power in South Africa at the end of apartheid.
Inquiry slams UK authorities for failures that killed thousands in infected blood scandal
China defends men's 5,000m relay title in Rotterdam
Blind Graduate Shares Her Vision of Music
Kevin Pillar gets 1,000th career hit in Angels' win at Texas
Enjoying Breathtaking Winter Landscapes
Woman Quits Consulting Job to Give Grandfather Experiences of a Lifetime
Canada and U.S. ratchet up their cross
Rangers are undefeated at .500 to keep World Series champs from a losing record with Bochy
'He pees ice cubes!' Ice cool Kroos key to Germany's hopes
Uber and Lyft say they'll stay in Minnesota after Legislature passes driver pay compromise
Wang Shanshan Named Chinese Women's Footballer of the Year