South Africa's Top Court Rules Ex-Prez Jacob Zuma Ineligible For Election Over Criminal Records

Cape Town: South Africa's highest court ruled Monday that former President Jacob Zuma is not allowed to stand as a candidate for Parliament in a national election next week because of a previous criminal conviction, a decision that's likely to increase political tensions ahe of a pivotal vote.

Constitutional Court said that a section of constitution disqualifying people from standing for office if y've been sentenced to more than 12 months in prison without option of a fine does apply to 82-year-old Zuma.

Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison in 2021 by Constitutional Court for contempt of court for refusing to testify at a judicial inquiry into government corruption.

case over wher that sentence disqualified Zuma from election came about because he h no option to appeal ruling by apex court that sent him to prison.

Zuma was South African president from 2009-2018 but resigned under a cloud of corruption allegations. He me a return to politics last year with a new party and has been fiercely critical of ruling African National Congress party he once led. 

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