By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG

Ex-wife of South African President Jacob Zuma has been appointed a Member of Parliament, in what experts believe is a boast for her campaign to become president of the ruling African National Congress(ANC).

The ANC in parliament confirmed in a short statement posted on Twitter late Friday that Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, 67, was nominated to the National Assembly. She will be sworn in next week.

Experts believe Dlamini-Zuma’s appointment is aimed at promoting her campaign. “The appointment would propel her immediately to the center of political attention, at a time when her campaign needs serious boasting,” political analyst Professor Susan Booysen told local radio 702.

The ANC which has ruled South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994 will elect a new leader at a conference in December.

Dlamini-Zuma, former chairperson of the African Union Commission will contest current Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa for the post.

Whoever, wins will almost certainly become South Africa’s next president since the ANC still enjoys majority support in the country.

Dlamini-Zuma, has already received endorsement for her candidacy from the ANC women’s league, the youth league, some party branches and president Jacob Zuma.

However, some commentators have criticized Zuma, saying he is backing his ex-wife because she would protect him from the many criminal cases he may face after he steps down as the country’s president in 2019, after serving two terms.

“Zuma faces over 700 cases and it’s highly likely that he may be found guilty. I believe that’s why he has to back people close to him,” Andre Duvenhage, a political science professor at North-West University, told Anadolu Agency.

South Africa’s legal system does not give sitting or former presidents amnesty from criminal prosecution.