Former South African President Jacob Zuma won a court bid to overturn his disqualification from running for parliament in next month\u2019s election on the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe Party\u2019s ticket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The decision is another setback to the ruling African National Congress\u2019s efforts to stifle support for the so-called MKP, which opinion polls show is gaining popularity ahead of the May 29 vote. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last month, the ANC lost a court bid to have the MKP deregistered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An objection to Zuma running as a candidate in the election \u201cis hereby dismissed,\u201d the court said in a ruling handed down on Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
South Africa\u2019s constitution bars anyone sentenced to more than 12 months in jail from being a member of parliament. Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison in 2021 after being found guilty of contempt of court. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The MKP\u2019s lawyers had argued that the Independent Electoral Commission failed to consider that Zuma only served a few weeks of his sentence, and was released on medical parole before benefiting from a remission of sentence and should therefore be allowed to run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zuma was forced to resign as president in February 2018 after the ANC elected Cyril Ramaphosa to succeed him as party leader in December 2017. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zuma, 81, ruled South Africa for nine years that were marred by scandal, including allegations of large-scale corruption and the looting of billions of dollars of state funds. He has denied wrongdoing and hasn\u2019t been indicted on the accusations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n