The Constitutional Court Confirms Ineligibility of Jacob Zuma for Parliament

20 May 2024

Today, the Constitutional Court ruled that Former President Jacob Zuma is ineligible to stand for Parliament. The Court upheld the Independent Electoral Commission's (“IEC”) disqualification of Zuma, confirming the application of section 47(1)(e) of the Constitution, which prohibits individuals sentenced to more than 12 months in prison (without the option of a fine) to serve in Parliament until five years after completing the sentence.

Ismail Joosub, Legal Officer of Constitutional Programmes at the FW de Klerk Foundation noted, “This decision upholds the Constitution and its explicit eligibility requirements for those who wish to hold office as members of Parliament. It reaffirms the constitutional mandate to ensure that only individuals who meet stringent ethical standards and legal requirements can stand for public office, thereby protecting the democratic principles that form the bedrock of our society”.

Issued by FW de Klerk Foundation, 20 May 2024