Durban – Staunch loyalist of the former president Jacob Zuma and MKMVA spokesperson Carl Niehaus has made it clear that the ex-MK soldiers were ready to defend Zuma with their lives.
Speaking to ANC supporters outside the Zuma’s eNkandla homestead, Niehaus did not mince his words, saying the ex-combatants of the ANC’s military wing would form a human shield to protect Zuma from being arrested.
“We warned the NEC several times that any decision to arrest Zuma will plunge the country into civil war. This persecution of our patron has been going on for over 20 years. Even the establishment of the so-called state capture commission, it was not something that President Zuma did on his volition. But the flimsy and trumped-up report of the former public protector Thuli Madonsela forced him to,” said Niehaus.
The 79-year-old Zuma was on Tuesday this week found guilty of contempt of court by the Constitutional Court relating to his refusal to appear at the Zondo commission investigating allegations of state capture.
On several occasions, the commission chaired by deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo issued summons for Zuma to give evidence relating to the involvement of the powerful Gupta family in the running of the state.
The family is alleged to have been at the center of the state capture project using their proximity to Zuma.
Zuma was sentenced to 15 months direct imprisonment and has until Sunday to present himself at the nearest police station so that he can begin to serve his sentence.
If he fails to do so, a warrant of his arrest will be issued.
His lawyers are said to be hatching a legal strategy which will ensure that he doesn’t see prison cells.
Read more: Zuma to spend his prison sentence at Westville Correctional Center
Also read: Zuma says his judgment was not consistent with constitution
Amabutho unleashed to reinforce MK vets in preventing cops from arresting Zuma
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