Former President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma has been sentenced to 15 months in prison after he was found guilty for defying a court order to make an appearance before an inquiry probing wide-ranging allegations of corruption while he was President between 2009 and 2018.
This is the first time in the history of South Africa that a former president will be sentenced to prison.
Zuma was not present for the ruling but was ordered to hand over himself within five days to a police station situated in his hometown of Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal province or in Johannesburg.
The Constitutional Court had earlier ruled that Zuma must answer questions from a judicial commission headed by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo but he accused the court and Zondo of bias, walked out during one scheduled panel hearing in November, and boycotted another panel hearing in February.
The panel however responded by filing contempt charges against him.
While giving the ruling, acting Chief Justice Sisi Khampepe said: “The Constitutional Court can do nothing but conclude that Mr. Zuma is guilty of the crime of contempt of court.
“Mr. Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma is sentenced to undergo 15 months imprisonment.”
According to report, the government’s estimate shows that over 500 billion rand ($35 billion) was embezzled during Zuma’s rule, and a minimum of 40 witnesses that have appeared before in court linked the Zuma to the looting spree.
Zuma however denied any wrongdoing and disclosed that the allegations against him are part of a smear campaign.
