Jacob Zuma sentenced for contempt of court

  Jacob Zuma sentenced for contempt of court

 

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa- A constitutional court in South Africa has sentenced former President of South Africa, Mr. Jacob Zuma to 15 months unsuspended imprisonment for contempt of court.

He was sentence for his failure to comply with order of the court directing him to make appearance or reply via affidavit on corruption of charges against him while in office.

In sentencing Jacob Zuma, the judge, Justice Suzi Hambebe noted that courts are pillars of democracy and keepers of the constitution, adding that nobody is above the law and that everybody is amenable to the jurisdiction of the tribunal.

According to the judge allowing litigants to decide which court order to obey and which to disobey will defeat the essence of the constitution.

She said that the court also put into consideration the enormous influence Jacob Zuma’s action will have on the public as a former president of South Africa.

According to the judge apart from refusal to appear or reply via  a sworn affidavit, his statements to the court was inflammatory and beyond what is tolerable criticism.

She ordered Jacob Zuma to submit himself to the South African police within 5 days to ensure that he is delivered to a correctional centre. If he fails, the Minister of Police, Commissioner of Police Service must within 3 days take all step necessary and permissible by law to ensure that Jacob Zuma is delivered to correctional centre.

Jacob Zuma is also ordered to pay cost.