The Constitutional Court has found former president Jacob Zuma guilty of contempt of court and sentenced him to an unsuspended 15 months imprisonment.
Acting Constitutional Court Judge, Sisi Khampepe, handed down the lengthy judgment at the apex court in Braamfontein in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
This followed an urgent application by the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture earlier this year, after Zuma’s refusal to comply with a court order to appear before the Commission.
The former President walked out of proceedings after Deputy Chief Justice, Raymond Zondo, rejected Zuma’s application for his recusal.
In a scathing majority judgment, Acting Judge Khampepe said that the Constitutional Court ordered Zuma in January to appear before the Commission, but he instead responded with public statements smearing the judiciary.
“On the same day Zuma launched an attack in which he levelled serious criticism against the commission and the Court,” Khampepe said.
She ordered Zuma to hand himself over in five days to the Nkandla police station or the Johannesburg Central Police Station.
Judge Khampepe said if he fails to do so the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, must take all measures possible to ensure that Zuma is handed over to a Correctional Services Centre.
