The Constitutional Court has asked former South African President Jacob Zuma, who was charged with “contempt for justice”, to decide his own sentence if he is found guilty. He must answer on Wednesday.
For three years, Jacob Zuma has refused to respond to a call from the Commission accused of investigating widespread corruption during his presidency. In February, after a the fifth refusal to testify, the Commission asked the Constitutional Court, the highest court in the country, to sentence the former head of state to two years in prison for “contempt for justice”.
This time, the former president had not only ignored a call from the Commission but also violated a decision taken by the Constitutional Court in January, forcing him to appear and deprive him of the right to remain silent.
In a directive dated Friday and published on the Constitutional Court’s website, the latter asks that Jacob Zuma decide “what constitutes an appropriate sanction”. The former president must submit a declaration by Wednesday explaining “the nature and extent of the punishment to be imposed”.
Millions of legal costs to pay for the ex-president
Jacob Zuma’s nine – year presidency has been intimidated by several corruption scandals. He was finally forced to resign in 2018. Today, Cyril Ramaphosa replaces him. It has put the fight against corruption at the heart of its priorities.
Regardless of the Constitutional Court’s decision, Jacob Zuma must pay the costs for him. According to the South African Court of Appeal, they amount to several million euros.
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