As of: 29.06.2021 2:47 p.m.
Former South African President Zuma has been sentenced to 15 months in prison. He had ignored a court summons – a commission of inquiry is investigating him on suspicion of corruption.
South Africa’s ex-president Jacob Zuma has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for disregarding a court summons.
Zuma currently has to answer to a commission of inquiry for various allegations of corruption during his term of office from 2009 to 2018 and had not followed a court summons. Among other things, he is accused of allowing members of an influential family to influence cabinet appointments and lucrative government contracts.
Disregard of the court
The incumbent presiding judge, Sisi Khampepe, said the Constitutional Court had concluded that Zuma “undoubtedly” constituted disregard for the court. The arrest warrant was issued because it “is impossible to deduce anything other than that it is clearly clear to him what is required of him”.
Zuma had “repeated several times that he would rather go to prison than cooperate with the commission or comply with the order issued”.
Zuma has to report within five days
It is the first time that a former president of the country has been sentenced to prison. The court ordered Zuma to present himself to a police station within five days to begin his prison sentence.
If he does not comply, the police minister and chief of police are instructed by the highest court to take him into custody within three days.
Disregard of the court: South African ex-President Jacob Zuma sentenced to prison
Jana Genth, ARD Johannesburg, June 29th, 2021 3:06 p.m.