South Africa: Former Pres. Jacob Zuma Barred From Election
South Africa: Former Pres. Jacob Zuma Barred From Election
The Facts
South Africa's constitutional court on Monday barred former president Jacob Zuma from standing in the upcoming election on May 29 due to his conviction for an offense that led to 12 months or more of imprisonment.
Zuma served 15 months in jail in 2021 for contempt of court, which, per the constitution, renders him "not eligible" to stand for the election or be a part of the National Assembly, the court ruled.South Africa's constitutional court on Monday barred former president Jacob Zuma from standing in the general upcoming election on May 29 due to his conviction for an offense that led to 12 months or more of imprisonment.
The Spin
Jacob Zuma is a dangerous demagogue, with his supporters threatening violence if he were to be removed from the ballot. His imprisonment led to rioting that claimed the lives of hundreds, which he has still refused to condemn. The court did the right thing to uphold the constitution, especially in the face of a corrupt strongman leader who thinks he is above the law.
The former president is the true standard-bearer of the ANC's mission of liberation, which has been corrupted by Ramaphosa and his associated cronies. Zuma attracts his support from those disgruntled the monarchical ANC, which is failing South Africa on every front. The ruling does little to blunt his appeal to a broad crossection of society that is desperate for change.
