ConCourt hears why Zuma should be jailed

The Constitutional Court is hearing arguments this morning from advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi why the Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State capture’s contempt case is urgent and why former president Jacob Zuma should be jailed for contempt of court.

Ngcukaitobi said “we are dealing with an ongoing attack on the court” referring to Zuma’s “ongoing failure to comply” and that allowing Zuma to continue attacking the Constitutional Court without consequence would have damaging social consequences.

Zuma’s supporters gathered outside the premises of the ConCourt in Braamfontein, Johannesburg on Thursday morning. Zuma faces the possibility of prison for two years if he is found guilty.

The hearing comes after commission chairperson Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo asked the ConCourt to have Zuma jailed for his refusal to honour a summons for him to appear before the commission.

ALSO READ: Will Zondo succeed in getting Zuma jailed for contempt?

The court ruled in January that Zuma should appear before the commission and answer questions put to him, but he has vowed not to do so.

The contempt of court proceedings are being heard unopposed after Zuma made no submissions to the court in response.

The former president has previously said he doesn’t fear being arrested.

Prominent ally of the Zuma camp, Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans (MKMVA) spokesperson Carl Niehaus has made his way to the ConCourt to express his support for the former president and his decision to ignore the order.

Meanwhile, members of the Herman Mashaba’s Action SA and  Move One Million have also gathered at the ConCourt in support of the commission.

Watch the proceedings live below, courtesy of the SABC:

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