South Africa Supreme Court hears appeal against Zuma poll candidacy

The top court of South Africa is getting ready to hear an appeal over former President Jacob Zuma’s eligibility to run in what is expected to be a close election.

The uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party, led by Mr. Zuma, 82, is a new opposition group that some believe could influence the results of the national election on May 29.

In April, a lower court ruled that he was eligible to run despite being disqualified by the electoral commission due to a conviction for contempt of court.

It had claimed that if a person was found guilty of a crime and given a term of more than 12 months in jail, they were not entitled to hold public office under the constitution.

For refusing to testify in a corruption inquiry, Mr. Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison in 2021; however, he was only incarcerated for three months due to health issues. (BBC)

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