NATIONAL NEWS - In a statement shortly before midnight, the JG Zuma Foundation confirmed that former president Jacob Zuma would be spending the night in prison, a fact later confirmed by the police.
“Dear South Africans and the World. Please be advised that President Zuma has decided to comply with the incarceration order. He is on his way to hand himself into a Correctional Services Facility in KZN. A full statement will be issued in due course.”
The SA Police Service confirmed in a statement after midnight that Zuma was arrested just before the deadline of the Constitutional Court.
Had this not occurred, the police minister would also have been in contempt of court, which Minister Bheki Cele said he was not willing to risk.
Earlier, a mass of cars had sped out of the Nkandla homestead at about three-quarters to midnight on Wednesday, with Zuma in one of the many SUVs.
eNCA’s political commentator JJ Tabane said that his sources had confirmed to him that the security cluster had given the former president an ultimatum to hand himself in before the deadline “or else”.
The foundation’s spokesperson, Mzwanele Manyi, rubbished this and said Zuma was merely complying with the law after exhausting all other legal options.
He once again took the opportunity to slam Zuma’s arrest as having happened without Zuma first being subjected to trial.
However, Zuma was sentenced on the basis of contempt of court.
Read a statement by the Defend our Democracy Campaign below:
The Defend our Democracy campaign welcomes reports that former President Jacob Zuma will be handing himself over at a correctional services facility in KwaZulu Natal.
This follows the recent Constitutional Court judgement which sentenced the former President to 15 months’ imprisonment for contempt of Court.
If the reports are confirmed, and the former President is indeed taken into custody, this will be an important step in affirming the principle that all are equal before the law.
We note the various legal processes that are still underway in relation to former President Zuma’s matter, and call on people to respect the outcomes of Court proceedings as they unfold.
In light of the reports, it is imperative that individuals, organisations, as well as political parties and formations, react in a manner that is reasonable, responsible and lawful.
This moment requires us all to put the interests of our democracy first and uphold the Constitution and rule of law.
Earlier: Zuma’s lawyers ask ConCourt to suspend his arrest for now
Zuma’s lawyers wrote to the Constitutional Court requesting a directive that the execution of the committal order for his arrest be suspended pending the outcome of the high court’s decision on Friday and the ConCourt application on 12 July.
The ConCourt sentenced the former president to 15 months in prison after finding him guilty of contempt of court last week.
The Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture approached the ConCourt on an urgent basis for an order that would compel Zuma to cooperate with the commission.
After being ordered to appear before the commission, Zuma released a statement accusing the commission and the ConCourt of victimising him. He vowed he would rather go to jail than appear before the commission.
The Jacob Zuma Foundation said it was “very concerned about unfolding developments” and would continue to monitor the situation closely.
“The Lawyers of our Patron, H.E Prez Zuma, are in touch with the relevant authorities. The Foundation will soon advise way forward,” it said.
In their letter, his lawyers asked the apex court for more time. The Constitutional Court appeared to have received the letter from Zuma’s lawyers asking the court to suspend his arrest for now. The letter was part of the court’s collection of letters and and affidavits relating to Zuma’s case.
“We write to request that you issue a directive in terms of which the execution of the committal orders of the Constitution is suspended pending the outcome of the judgment on Friday 9 July 2021, alternatively pending the outcome of the judgment to be heard by the Constitutional Court on Monday, 12 July,” it read.
“There is prejudice to the life of our client in the event of the judgment of the High Court ordering a suspension of the commital orders, alternatively the Constitutional Court, rescinding its orders.
“We understand that the Constitutional Court may direct the suspension of its orders, which if granted would be binding on the High Court, to prevent our client from being arrested prior to all legal processes being finalised. We await your urgent response.”
