[imagesource: Rogan Ward / AFP]

Jacob Zuma has been found guilty of contempt of court, and sentenced to 15 months imprisonment by the Constitutional Court.

The sentence was handed down this morning, and is due to Zuma’s failure to comply with a ConCourt order to honour a summons to appear before the State Capture Commission.

Justice Sisi Khampepe said that “the only appropriate sanction is a direct unsuspended order of imprisonment”.

The court added that it would be “futile” to give Zuma a suspended sentence.

Constitutional Court further orders that Zuma pay the legal costs spent by the State Capture Inquiry in having him jailed for contempt – on a punitive scale.

— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) June 29, 2021

The Constitutional Court sends former President Jacob Zuma to jail for 15 months for contempt of court. It sends a clear message that the rule of law will not be undermined. Justice prevails.

— Mandy Wiener (@MandyWiener) June 29, 2021

“No high profile corrupt politician goes to jail.”

That’s changed today, at the highest level. Jacob Zuma goes to jail for 15 months, with no appeal. End of the road. #JacobZuma #Suspended

— Verashni Pillay (@verashni) June 29, 2021

In response to the summons ordering that he appear before the State Capture Commission, Zuma wrote to chief justice Mogoeng Mogoeng saying he would not participate as a conscientious objection.

Those MKMVA vets outside Nkandla are bound to get plenty of airtime in the coming days.

News24’s live reporting includes the following from Qaanitah Hunter:

Former president Jacob Zuma has repeatedly said he is not afraid of going to jail. Now the apex court has sentenced him to 15 months imprisonment. Justice Khampepe says Zuma’s conduct “smacks of malice”.

This is the court making a bold statement that the rule of law is supreme even for a former president.

How good does this sound?

Jacob Zuma will now return to face his corruption trial in July as a sentenced inmate.

— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) June 29, 2021

Wow, this could really be happening, although I will refrain from popping bottles until he’s actually behind bars.

I can’t help but feel we’re going to hear something about ‘medical parole’  in the near future.

One thing is for sure – the next five days are going to a very wild ride.

This from one of his daughters:

Amandla! Just Spoke To My Father, @PresJGZuma Is In High Spirits And Has No Fear. We Have A Choice Between Serving Our Time In Jhb Or Nkandla…Of Course We Have Chosen To Be Close To Home. Lockdown Or No Lockdown We Will Escourt You To Serve Your Time. ✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽 pic.twitter.com/Yrybea4Skt

— Dudu Zuma-Sambudla (@DZumaSambudla) June 29, 2021

You can keep up to speed with the latest developments via News24’s live feed here.

[source:news24]