Zuma sentenced to 15 months in jail

THE Constitutional Court has ordered former President Jacob Zuma to report to the Nkandla police station or Johannesburg Central in five days. 

This comes after Acting Chief Justice, Sisi Khampepe, this morning, found Zuma guilty of contempt of court.

This was prompted by his refusal to answer for the corruption charges.

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Khampepe sentenced Zuma to 15 months imprisonment.

Handing down the judgement, Khampepe, said if Zuma does not hand himself over, Police Minister Bheki Cele and National Police Commissioner Khehla Sithole have three days to take all steps necessary to ensure Zuma is in jail.

She said this is to ensure that Zuma is immediately committed to a correctional facility.

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Zuma faces one year and three months in prison relating to charges that he permitted the looting of government coffers during his almost nine years in office. 

Khampepe said: “The Constitutional Court can do nothing, but conclude that Mr Zuma is guilty of the crime of contempt of court.”

In 2018, Zuma was forced to step down after being forced out by his own party, the ruling party African National Congress (ANC), following a series of corruption scandals.

Under immense pressure, Zuma set up the inquiry shortly before he was ousted.

In July 2019, he testified only once before walking out of court and accusing the chairperson of the commission, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, of being biased against him.

He was called and begged by his party and other public leaders to testify, but he refused to do so.

Zuma is also ordered to pay costs, including costs of two counsels. Khampepe revealed that the majority judgment is unappealable, meaning Zuma has to go to jail for 15 months.

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