By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former president, Jacob Zuma has expressed his intention to return to the Union Buildings to lead the country again, saying he wanted to “come back to fix things”.
Zuma made the remarks while addressing a prayer service at the Nazareth Baptist Church, better known as the Shembe church, in Ndwendwe in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
He highlighted that he was swiftly removed from office before the completion of his term due to his efforts to bring about positive change in people’s lives.
Zuma stated that the behaviour of certain individuals had motivated him to consider a return to power, emphasizing his desire to alter the current situation.
“I was quickly removed before the end of my term as president because I was trying to change people’s lives but their behaviour has made me want to come [back]. I want to return to change our situation,” he told those gathered for the service.
Last year, Zuma announced he would be campaigning for the Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) party instead of the ANC he previously led.
In an appeal to the church members, Zuma requested their prayers and support in the upcoming general elections.
“I am here to ask for your prayers that we govern the country well, that there are no complaints against those in government,” said Zuma.
He also encouraged the thousands of church members present to vote for a government led by individuals they know. This sentiment reflects his belief in the importance of familiarity and trust in political leadership.
Zuma was ousted as the country’s president by Cyril Ramaphosa in 2018 amid wide-ranging allegations of corruption in government and state-owned companies during his presidential tenure from 2009 to 2018.
Since his departure from the country’s highest office, Zuma has been facing legal battles.
He was sentenced to 15 months in prison for defying a court order to appear before a judicial commission of inquiry, which was investigating corruption allegations against him and other high-profile politicians and businesspeople during his time in office.
He has also pleaded not guilty to corruption charges related to South Africa’s 1999 arms procurement deal in a trial that has faced major delays.
Meanwhile the constitution clearly states that if one takes over the presidency before the other one’s term expires those years would not be counted as a term of the new one, but silent on what happens if the president does not finish the second term.
Experts says Zuma could not return to parliament because of the constitution since it did not mention that a former may come back even if they did not finish their terms.