Handing down the judgment today at the Constitutional Court in Braamfontein, acting chief Justice Sisi Khampepe, said Mr Zuma, as a former President defied the order to appear at the Zondo Commission, and did not honour the summons.
Mr Zuma in reaction famously stated “I would rather be imprisoned than be cooperative”.
“His outlandish statements are part and parcel of his contempt charge” said the Justice Khampepe, and therefore sentenced to 15 months, in a unanimous decision.
“The only appropriate sanction is a direct unsuspended order of imprisonment,” Khampepe said.
Zuma did not honour that summons.
After Zuma’s failure to appear the commission launched contempt proceedings in the Constitutional Court.
The commission also sought an order that Zuma be sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for contempt.
The judgment comes three months after the court heard the unopposed application by the commission.
Zuma did not oppose these contempt of court proceedings and did not participate in the matter.
Instead he wrote to chief justice Mogoeng Mogoeng saying he would not participate as a conscientious objection.
When the commission applied for Zuma to be held in contempt, its counsel Tembeka Ngcukaitobi SC argued that only imprisonment would vindicate the highest court’s authority.
ACJ Khampepe, emphasised that Zuma’s “attempts to evoke public sympathy through unfounded allegations fly in the face of reason and are an insult to the constitutional dispensation for which so many men and women fought for and lost their lives!” says ActionSA in a press statement.
Out of 11 Concourt Justices- only two Judges Leona Theron and Chris Japhta were against the sentencing and the majority believed Zuma deserved to be sentenced.
He’s also liable for court cost.
Zuma will have to handover himself to the police station in Nkandla or any Johannesburg police station, by next week Friday, failing which the minister of Police or and National Police Commissioner should intervene.
One must also indicate age factor was considered during the sentencing.
Be careful what you wish for as former Pres once declared “I would rather be imprisoned than be cooperative”, now is the time.
Image (Jail time. Former Pres JC Zuma found guilty and will spend 15 months in jail).
