South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma announced on Thursday that he will fight for his rights after the country’s top court ruled him ineligible to run for parliament in the upcoming election. The constitutional court’s decision on Monday stems from Zuma’s 15-month jail sentence for contempt of court in 2021, which, according to the constitution, disqualifies anyone with a prison sentence of 12 months or longer from holding a parliamentary seat.
The constitutional court’s decisions are final and cannot be overruled. “Judges of the constitutional court have taken a decision that I can’t exercise my freedom, my democracy,” Zuma stated in a YouTube video shared by his uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party. “I am going to fight for my rights until this country agrees that freedom must be a complete freedom, not for some and oppression for others.”
Despite Zuma’s disqualification, his face will remain on the election’s ballot papers as he is the registered leader of the MK party. However, his name will be removed from MK’s list of parliamentary candidates.
In December, Zuma endorsed MK and announced he would not campaign for the governing African National Congress (ANC), which he led from 2007 until 2017. Zuma resigned as South Africa’s president in 2018 under pressure from allies of current ANC leader Cyril Ramaphosa. His nine-year presidency was marred by corruption scandals and economic decline.
Zuma’s imprisonment in 2021 led to riots in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal, resulting in over 300 deaths and widespread looting. Although there were fears that the court’s recent ruling might incite violent reactions from Zuma’s supporters, no such incidents have occurred.
Zuma remains resolute, emphasizing his commitment to what he sees as a fight for complete freedom and democracy in South Africa.
