[imagesource: Sandile Ndlovu]

If the Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) soldiers who have gathered at Nkandla didn’t pose a threat to the rule of law in this country, it would all be so laughable.

A bit like the firepool inside former president Jacob Zuma’s compound – hilarious, until you remember how much it cost South African taxpayers.

Over the past week, MKMVA soldiers and KwaZulu-Natal ANC members have been flocking to Nkandla, declaring that they were ready to do their “level best” to protect Zuma from being arrested, and were prepared to die for him.

Yesterday, as Zuma defied the Constitutional Court’s orders to appear before the Zondo Commission, chairperson deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo called for Zuma to be jailed.

Perhaps, then, we are headed towards a showdown at the gates of Nkandla, and if that’s the case, the soldiers are ready.

Just look at the forward roll exhibited by the soldier at the start of the video below.

Such precision, such cohesion.

Then there are the plainclothed acolytes, appearing from the 50-second mark. Highly trained, highly coordinated…

Troops need to be fed to stay in high spirits, and MK vets were on hand to prepare a feast, alongside a white tent erected just outside the entrance to Zuma’s home.

More from The Sowetan:

While the rain soaked the rolling hills of Nkandla in northern KwaZulu-Natal, it could not dampen the mood of supporters of former president Jacob Zuma, who gathered in their dozens outside his home on Monday.

…children watched in awe as MKMVA members stomped, chanted and sang on the road, as they pledged their allegiance to Zuma.

Image: Sandile Ndlovu

Among some of Zuma’s family present to witness them in action were his daughter Duduzile and son Edward.

What, JZ couldn’t stick his head out and make a brief appearance?

Perhaps he’s inside, drinking tea and mulling over his next (il)legal move. According to Constitutional Law expert Pierre de Vos, writing for The Daily Maverick, his attempts so far to wriggle off the hook have been nothing short of laughable:

Zuma’s refusal to testify in contempt of an order issued by the Constitutional Court is unlawful and therefore does show defiance of the legal process.

In fact, the reasons advanced to justify Zuma’s contempt of court is not only a legal nonsense — as Zuma and his lawyers must surely know — but also undermines respect for the rule of law and for the commission of inquiry Zuma created and whose work Zuma asked South Africans to support.

It is not clear why Zuma’s lawyers would willingly advance such clearly misguided legal arguments that are seemingly aimed at undermining trust, not only in the deputy chief justice, but also in the Constitutional Court and thus the entire legal system.

Because they don’t have a leg to stand on?

De Vos goes on to unpack exactly why Zuma’s argument is so flimsy here.

I doubt we will ever see Zuma spend a day behind bars, despite the Zondo Commission costing close to R1 billion thus far, but can we at least get in on the stand so we can watch him squirm?

[sources:sowetan&dailymav]