South Africa's ex-President Jacob Zuma banned from 2024 elections

The Independent Election Commission banned South Africa’s ex-President Jacob Zuma from participating in the 2024 general elections. The elections in South Africa will held on May 29, 2024.

The Election Commission of South Africa reported about its decison at a media briefing. It stated it had upheld an objection to Jacob’s candidacy in the May 29 elections. It came after Jacob received 15 months imprisonment in July 2021 after refusing to testify before a judicial inquiry.

South Africa’s election authorities have barred former President Jacob Zuma from standing in the country’s May election.

Here is what we know about the case and Zuma’s political future https://t.co/uBtIF5IuMD pic.twitter.com/LteMY1YBPl
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This inquiry constituted to examine corruption charges throughout the tenure of Jacob Zuma from 2009 to 2018. After two months of imprisonment, authorities gave him a medical probe and allowed him to serve the remainder of his jail term under home arrest.

The Constitution of South Africa prohibits those convicted and sentenced to more than 12 months imprisonment without the option of a fine, from holding public office.

Hence, South Africa’s ex-president Jacob Zuma has been banned from competing in the forthcoming elections. However, Jacob Zuma has until April 2, to challenge the decision of the Commission.

Jacob and his legal team walked out of the courtroom during his tenure when questioned about widespread corruption charges. It included the participation of an Indian family, the Guptas, who reportedly gained influence over his cabinet nominations.

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He is currently a member of a new political party, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, abbreviated as MK. It has emerged as a potential main factor in the next elections of South Africa for him after leaving the ruling ANC party.

Jacob formerly commanded the ANC party. ANC is the African National Congress party. It came after the ANC party expelled Jacob Zuma following his corruption charges.

The new party is named after the previous military branch of the ANC party. It dissolved at the end of white minority rule and racial segregation policies under the former apartheid regime.