Durban – Threats of defying lockdown regulations, violence, and targeting foreign-owned shops across the province are some of the tactics that former President Jacob Zuma supporters in KwaZulu-Natal have planned out in defence of the man they call the father of black economic transformation.
“As the Zuma family we are happy at the support that comrades throughout the country have shown us in these trying times. Ordinary people on the ground who appreciate what my father has done for this country have also told us that they are mobilizing in every township and rural area. So, we are expecting scores of people to flock to Nkandla and before police can arrest my father, they must kill us all,” said former president’s son Edward, on Wednesday, speaking to Sunday World.
The former statesman who is facing imminent arrest finds himself in a precarious position after on several occasions has openly rebelled against appearing at the Zondo Commission probing allegations of state capture.
Instead, Zuma maintained that his hands were clean and that the commission was part of a concerted effort spearheaded by his political opponents to humiliate him.
He subsequently made an urgent application demanding that deputy chief justice Zondo should be recused as commission’s chairperson claiming conflict of interest.
His request was however turned down and the commission went ahead asking the Constitutional Court to find Zuma in contempt of court for refusing to give testimony.
The commission pleaded for his direct imprisonment.
Yesterday, in a scathing judgment delivered by Judge Sisi Khampempe, the ConCort ruled that Zuma was indeed in contempt of court sentencing him to 15 months of direct imprisonment.
Khampempe held no punches, saying the sentence would serve as a punitive measure for Zuma’s disregard for the rule of law.
“Not only is Mr Zuma’s behaviour so outlandish as to warrant a disposal of ordinary procedure, but it is becoming increasingly evident that the damage being caused by his ongoing assaults on the integrity of the judicial process cannot be cured by an order down the line. It must be stopped now,” read the judgement in part.
The court also said that the former president must surrender himself either at Johannesburg central police station or to a police station in his home village of eNkandla to begin serving his sentence. Zuma was the county’s number one during the alleged plundering of the state where billions of rand worth of government contracts are alleged to have been fraudulently awarded to businesses owned by Gupta family and their associates.
Zuma is also on the record, saying that Gupta brothers were his close friends who had also mentored his son Duduzane.
A key witness in the commission fingered Zuma as being the mastermind of the state capture project. The commission needed the former president to provide his version and answer to the allegations.
Meanwhile, the MKMVA battalion currently camping outside Zuma’s homestead to ‘protect’ Zuma from being arrested said they had made a call to all ex-MK soldiers to beef up their base in eNkandla in preparation for war.
Also read:
Jacob Zuma’s whereabouts under the spotlight
ANC top brass to meet this weekend to discuss landmark Constitutional Court ruling
Corruption Watch says ConCourt judgment signals a victory for the rule of law in SA
Watch: Zuma’s daughters and Carl Niehaus show their support for former president
Twitter reacts as Jacob Zuma is sentenced to jail
Constitutional Court finds Jacob Zuma guilty, sentenced to 15 months imprisonment
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