This decision by the Constitutional Court is likely to heighten political tensions ahead of a potentially pivotal vote for Africa’s most advanced economy.
The court determined that a constitutional provision disqualifying individuals from standing for Parliament if they have been sentenced to more than 12 months in prison without the option of a fine applies to Zuma, now 82. In 2021, Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt after refusing to testify at a judicial inquiry into government corruption.
