Article by: Dumisane Dube
Former President Jacob Zuma has been found guilty of contempt of court and has been sentenced to 15 months imprisonment by the Constitutional Court on Tuesday morning.
This after Zuma defied the court ruling to appear before the commission of inquiry into state capture led by the deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo in February.
The Constitutional Court had ordered the former president to testify before the commission and said he doesn’t enjoy the right to remain silent.
He released statement stating that he was not afraid of being arrested, convicted and imprisoned.
He further further stated that he would remain defiant like he did during apartheid and he would not abide by the Constitutional Court judgement that compelled him to appear at the commission.
The Chairperson of the State Capture Commission, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, requested that the apex court declare Zuma in contempt of court.
In handing down judgment, Acting Chief Justice Sisi Khampepe said: “There is no doubt that Mr. Zuma was in contempt of court. He is in blatant violation of the court order. He is found guilty of contempt of court…Not only has Zuma failed to dispute the contempt of court, he has also failed to contest the degree of the contempt. Instead, he has aggravated it. The majority judgment orders an unsuspended sentence of imprisonment for a period of 15 months.”
For more updates visit our website and remember to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
