Former South African President Jacob Zuma has lashed out at some of the nation’s top judges after being barred from running for parliament on Monday. In his first interview since the ruling, Zuma told the BBC that the Constitutional Court’s decision, based on his 2021 conviction for contempt of court, was erroneous.
“I expected this from our judges, but they are definitely wrong. Not correct,” said the 82-year-old, suggesting that the constitution should be amended.
Ahead of the upcoming general election, Zuma had been campaigning under the banner of the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party. He joined MK after a falling out with the governing African National Congress (ANC), which he once led.
The electoral commission argued that the constitution prohibits anyone sentenced to more than 12 months in prison from serving as a lawmaker—a stance supported by the Constitutional Court judges. Zuma was convicted in 2021 for refusing to testify at an inquiry into corruption during his presidency. His lawyers contended that he was eligible to become an MP since his sentence was reduced to three months after current President Cyril Ramaphosa released him from prison, a move widely seen as an attempt to calm Zuma’s supporters.
“The judges of the Constitutional Court have acted very funny towards me,” Zuma told the BBC. “They are not considering the will of the people of this country; they use their own will.”
Zuma served as president from 2009 to 2018 before being ousted from the ANC leadership amid allegations of widespread corruption in his government, known as “state capture,” which involved diverting public assets into private hands. Zuma has always denied direct involvement in corruption but is set to face trial next year on bribery charges.
“I don’t know what ‘state capture’ means. If people say I am corrupt, what did I do? Do you have any facts about it? Am I guilty?” Zuma questioned. “I was removed before the end of my term, and no evidence was produced to justify it.”
The MK party, which Zuma now represents, has previously called for changes to South Africa’s constitution, originally drafted 30 years ago at the end of apartheid. In light of his election ban, Zuma reiterated the need for constitutional reform.
“This constitution in Africa is guided by European laws, not ours,” he said. “Nothing has gone right on this continent because we are still dominated by those who enslaved us, oppressed us, and then imposed their laws on us. There are details that clash with our lives.”
An Ipsos poll last month gave MK 8% of the vote, with the ANC at 40%, as it loses support to MK and other opposition parties. However, some analysts believe the ANC could still secure more than 50% with a strong campaign, avoiding its first loss of majority in 30 years.
MK is expected to perform well in Zuma’s home region of KwaZulu-Natal, potentially ending ANC dominance there. Following Zuma’s 2021 imprisonment for contempt of court, his supporters sparked deadly riots that left over 300 people dead.
“This must tell you that the masses of this country love Zuma—that’s why we had that,” he said.
When asked if he would call for peace and calm ahead of next week’s election, Zuma responded, “I’ve always done so.”
