HE’S like the proverbial cat with nine lives. Nothing ever seems to keep him down – not being sent to jail, being given the boot by his own party, all his legal problems or the fact that many South Africans blame him for a big chunk of the country’s woes.
No matter the scandal or how sure his critics are there’s no way out, Jacob Zuma always seems to have the last laugh. And instead of being happy to spend his days quietly in Nkandla, the wily 82-year-old has made it clear he still has a big role to play in South African politics.
Five years after he reluctantly resigned as president, Zuma has stepped up to lead the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) Party, which was launched recently to contest the national elections in May.
The man who once declared “the ANC will rule until Jesus Christ returns” is now lending his political clout to a rival party – and to add insult to injury the party has taken the name of the armed wing of the ANC. In another blow to the ANC, MK was successful in its bid to put Zuma’s name in the top spot on its list of election candidates, paving the way for his return to public office.
The Electoral Commission (IEC) originally refused to allow this, saying that as Zuma was found guilty of contempt of court and sentenced to jail he was precluded in terms of the constitution from serving in the National Assembly.
Yet Zuma’s legal team found a loophole, successfully arguing that because President Cyril Ramaphosa granted Zuma a remission of sentence last year, it rendered his initial 15-month sentence irrelevant. At the time of going to print the IEC had launched a Constitutional Court appeal to contest the decision.
Denne historien er fra 25 April 2024-utgaven av YOU South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra 25 April 2024-utgaven av YOU South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
HOW TO BE YOUR OWN THERAPIST
With more and more of us struggling with our mental health, here's a common-sense guide to coping with life's ups and downs
SPUD: THE MAGIC CONTINUES
John van de Ruit tells us why he decided to write a sequel - and shares how his first book helped him find enduring love
SEX CONTRACT GONE WRONG
A Cape Town couple have been charged with using a young woman as a sex slave-but some say she lost the job she signed up for and now has a grudge against them
LIAM LAID TO REST
More than a month after One Direction singer LIAM PAYNE (31) tragically fell to his death from a balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, his loved ones finally got to say their goodbyes.
SHILOH HANGS OUT
THE two young women look like any pair of good friends chatting and laughing as they leave their dance class in Los Angeles.
LEO IN LOVE
He's just turned 50 and it seems Leonardo DiCaprio may finally be ready to settle down
PACKING A PUNCH
Irish actor Paul Mescal beefed up for his role in the blockbuster epic Gladiator II - and fans are loving it
I DIDN'T CHOOSE TO BE A LOVE CHILD
As the illegitimate daughter of the king, she fought to be recognised as part of Belgium's royal family, but Princess Delphine says she still feels unwelcome
'I STILL HAVE NIGHTMARES'
A bite from a spitting cobra 13 years ago nearly killed her but Mikayla survived - and she's made peace with her scars
THE CLAWS ARE OUT!
Things have grown frosty between the Beckhams and the Sussexes as Becks comes out in clear support of William
