Former South African President Jacob Zuma has won a legal battle for the third time in a month, allowing him and his new party to participate in the upcoming general election. The ruling came after the governing African National Congress (ANC) tried to force Zuma’s party, uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), to change its name and logo, claiming it could confuse voters.
The court disagreed, stating that the ANC had taken legal action too late and should have gone to the electoral court instead. This victory is seen as crucial for MK, as it would have faced financial difficulties if it had to rebrand.
Zuma’s popularity in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal remains strong despite facing corruption allegations. The recent rulings in his favor suggest that the judiciary prefers to let voters decide on his fate.
This legal victory has eased political tensions, but the ANC could still lose its majority in the national and provincial parliaments. MK may attract votes from disillusioned ANC supporters, as well as from other parties like the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
However, some experts warn against focusing too much on Zuma, as it could skew polling data and distract from important issues like unemployment and crime. The legal battles are expected to continue, with the Electoral Commission appealing the decision to allow Zuma to run in the election.
