The Constitutional Court has found former president Jacob Zuma guilty of contempt of court and sentenced him to 15 months imprisonment. Justice Sisi Khampepe read out the judgment on Tuesday, which found that Zuma was fully aware of the consequences of his actions and willfully defied the court’s order to appear before the Zondo Commission.
The court was handing down judgment in the application by the commission of inquiry into state capture that Zuma be held in contempt of court for failing to comply with the court’s earlier order in January to obey the commission’s summons to appear and give evidence From Feb. 15 to February 19.
The ANC issued a statement following the judgment: “The African National Congress has noted the judgment of the Constitutional Court in the matter of Secretary of the State Capture Commission v Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma. The ANC is currently studying the judgement. Without doubt, this is a difficult period in the movement and we call upon our members to remain calm. The meeting of the national executive committee (NEC) scheduled to take place this weekend, will reflect on the implications and consequences of the judgment. We further reaffirm our commitment to upholding the rule of law and fulfilling the aspirations of our constitutional democracy.”
