Zuma not eligible to register as a candidate for elections

JOHANNESBURG - The Electoral Commission (IEC) has confirmed that former President Jacob Zuma does not meet the requirements to register as a candidate to stand in this year’s elections.

Since Zuma became the face of his new political party, uMkhonto weSizwe, and started vigorously campaigning for it, many have pointed out to his supporters that his brushes with the law put him out of contention to return to political office.

The Electoral Commission on Thursday confirmed this when asked at a press briefing whether Zuma could be included on a party list for election to Parliament.

Commissioner Janet Love said the IEC was bound by the law and the Constitution in terms of who was eligible to run for political office.

"That excludes anybody who has been given a sentence that was not the subject of any deferral, and in that sense, it is not ourselves, but the laws of the country that would stand as an impediment for that candidacy."

Zuma was found guilty of contempt of court in 2021 and sentenced to a 15-month term for refusing to testify before the Zondo commission of inquiry into state capture, which he established.

After being released on medical parole, the 81-year-old former president received a remission of sentence last year, for the remainder of the term.

Zuma not eligible to register as a candidate for elections - IEC

The Electoral Commission has on Thursday confirmed this when asked at a press briefing whether Jacob Zuma could be included on a party list for election to Parliament.