Former President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, has been sentenced to prison for 15 months after he was found guilty of contempt of court by the Constitutional Court.
The Acting Deputy Chief Justice Sisi Khampepe, in delivering the verdict, emphasised the extraordinary attacks by Zuma on the legitimacy of the Constitutional Court.
The Constitutional Court of South Africa ordered that Zuma present himself at a police station in his home town of Nkandla or Johannesburg within five days.
Khampepe ruled: “There can be no doubt that Mr Zuma is in contempt of court.”
The order stems from Zuma’s refusal to appear at an anti-corruption commission to answer questions about his alleged involvement in corruption during his time as president. Zuma has repeatedly denied the allegations.
“Never before has the authority and legitimacy of the Constitutional Court been subjected against these kinds of attacks,” the judge said.
“If his conduct is met with impunity, he will do significant damage to the rule of law,” the judge ruled.
Zuma served as South Africa’s President from 2009 to 2018.
