South African court rules former leader Jacob Zuma can contest election

Former South African president Jacob Zuma addresses supporters of the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) in Durban, South Africa in March (AP)

South Africa’s Electoral Court on Tuesday ruled that former president Jacob Zuma can run for office in the upcoming election, overturning an earlier decision that had barred him from contesting the polls.

The decision paves the way for Mr Zuma to run for president on behalf of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, a new political organisation that he joined last year after denouncing the ruling African National Congress party that he once led.