Ex-South African president Zuma sentenced to 15 months for contempt of court

Johannesburg, Jun 29 (EFE).- South Africa’s Constitutional Court on Tuesday sentenced ex-president Jacob Zuma to 15 months in prison for contempt of court, having repeatedly refused to appear in court for an inquiry into corruption during his tenure.

Justice Sisi Khampepe read aloud the verdict of the highest court in the country, which said Zuma undermined the authority of the judicial power with calculated attacks, leaving the court with no option but to send a message to defend the rule of law and popular confidence in tribunals.

The former president, who led the African nation between 2009-2018, will have to surrender to the police within five days.

Otherwise, the justice stated, the government will have to ensure the proper compliance with court orders.

In a separate case, Zuma has pleaded not guilty to charges of illicit association, corruption, money laundering and fraud related to almost 800 payments linked to an arms accord signed with Thales in the late 1990s, when Zuma was South Africa’s deputy president. EFE

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