South Africa ex-president Zuma denied stay of arrest request

Johannesburg, Jul 9 (EFE).- Former South African president Jacob Zuma’s application for a stay of arrest was dismissed by court Friday, thwarting an attempt to avoid serving a 15-month sentence for contempt of court.

Zuma turned himself in to police on Wednesday evening, complying with the court’s order on June 29 that found the ex-president was in contempt of court for failing to appear in court for an inquiry into corruption during his presidential term between 2009 and 2018.

He had filed a stay of arrest application to the Pietermaritzburg superior court, requesting his detention be put on hold.

The constitutional court, the highest tribunal in the country, agreed to a hearing on Monday to give Zuma the opportunity to argue against the conviction.

Zuma says he has refused to appear in court over claims the corruption investigation and the judge in charge of it are attempting to tarnish his legacy.

In a separate trial, he also faces several charges of corruption alongside other high-ranked officials, over alleged bribes related to an arms deal worth millions signed with a French company in the 90s, when he served as deputy president. EFE

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