JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Former South African President Jacob Zuma was barred Monday from running for Parliament in next week’s national election over a previous criminal conviction, the latest twist in his return to politics.
The decision by the country’s highest court, the Constitutional Court, may still be appealed. It ruled that Zuma is only eligible to serve as a lawmaker five years after his 2021 sentence for contempt of court was completed.
Zuma is now the leader of a new party, uMkhonto weSizwe Party, and is campaigning against the long-ruling African National Congress he once led.
Analysts say the ANC, which has comfortably held power since Nelson Mandela became the country’s first Black president in 1994, might receive less than 50% of votes in next Wednesday’s election and lose its parliamentary majority.
That would be the ANC’s worst electoral performance since it came into power in South Africa at the end of apartheid.
Saudi Arabia is going to sponsor the WTA women's tennis rankings under a new partnership
Shooting at Ramadan event in West Philadelphia leaves 3 injured, 5 in custody, police say
Phoenix make history as Surman delivers at the death
VOX POPULI: Journalist Anna Politkovskaya fearlessly called out injustices
Trump accepts a VP debate but wants it on Fox News. Harris has already said yes to CBS
Publican pleads guilty to stealing $180,000 in grant funding
IDB, Brazil’s Central Bank sign agreement to support green investments
New Zealand being considered as potential AUKUS Pillar Two partner
Medics remove 150 MAGGOTS from a woman's mouth after dental procedure left her with rotting tissue
School attendance held back by sickness
Jessica Biel CHOPS her long locks into a bob after book signing in Studio City
Is that a nuclear plant? The story behind those towers at the Winter Olympics big air