South Africa’s Top Court Blocks Zuma From Contesting Election
- Top official in Zuma’s party says ruling won’t lead to unrest
- Ruling party is at risk of losing majority in May 29 vote
South Africa’s Constitutional Court barred Jacob Zuma from running for parliament, but that will do little to disrupt the former president’s bid to shake up next week’s election in the continent’s most industrialized economy where his upstart party remains the biggest wildcard.
The country’s top court disqualified the 82-year-old because of his 2021 conviction related to an inquiry into the plunder of more than $27 billion of state funds during his presidency. Zuma’s face will remain on the ballot in the May 29 vote — which could see the ruling African National Congress lose its majority for the first time since apartheid ended 30 years ago, in part because of the corruption and neglect that characterized his tenure.