Zuma calls for his supporters to fight injustices
Zuma said it was a shock that he was lambasted with a jail sentence during these challenging times.
FORMER President Jacob Zuma says sending him to jail during the Covid-19 pandemic is similar to sentencing him to death.
Addressing the media at his homestead in Nkandla on Sunday night, Zuma said it was a shock that he was lambasted with a jail sentence during these challenging times.
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He called on his supporters to utilise peaceful means to protest against the injustices.
“I really must be clear, I am not asking for sympathy but justice.”
Zuma claimed his health and age had not been considered when the imprisonment was imposed.
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He accused the country of sliding back to apartheid type rule, as he was facing long detention without trial.
“Being jailed without trial is not different to the apartheid law. I believe in the rule of law because I fought and went to exile so that there must be justice and rule of law,”said Zuma.
The former president said that it alone clarifies the rumours that he is an enemy of law.
ALSO READ: South Africa sliding back into apartheid era, says Zuma on jail sentence
He said: “I am pursuing peaceful methods and constitution methods to deal with the situation by approaching the court again. I have been in an out of courts for the past 20 years, attending to all my court appearance, unless my doctor tells me otherwise.”
Zuma said he is not scared of going to jail for his belief.
“It will not be for the first time. I will be a prisoner of conscience. I had already spent 10 years in Robben Island under very difficulty times and cruel conditions. Even then, I was a prisoner of my conscience and beliefs,” he said.
However, Zuma revealed that he has a duty to ensure that the dignity and respect for the judiciary is not compromised.
He said if it was up to him, he would go to jail as early as today whether he comes out alive or not.
“But I have never operated as an individual. I am guided by views of the my family and comrades.”
He thanked the Constitutional Court for affording him an opportunity to present his case on 12 July.
ALSO READ: Zuma takes a jab at judiciary, says he will not hand himself over to police
He called on his supporters to stand by him.
Zuma alluded that no one is above the law and the constitution is the supreme law.
Zuma said he was asking nothing, but fairness and consistency.
Zuma is also ordered to pay costs, including costs of two counsels.
The Constitutional Court (ConCourt) on Tuesday found Zuma guilty of contempt of court over his refusal to take the stand at the state capture commission despite a court order.
Constitutional Court Justice Sisi Khampepe, delivered the unprecedented majority judgment, saying there could be no doubt Zuma was in contempt of court.
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