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First night in jail for Jacob Zuma. The former South African president, sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt, handed over to police on the night of Wednesday, July 7. He had left his home in Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal just before midnight and thus avoided police intervention. The urgent appeals brought by his legal team were not sufficient to reject the decision to arrest him issued by the Constitutional Court. The story of a funny arrest.
as reported from South Africa, Romain Song
Of all the scenarios mentioned, the least impressive has taken place. It is around 23:30 when Jacob Zuma leaves his home in Nkandla to give up on the police during the opaque night in the Zulu countryside. Direction Escourt prison, 170 km away, where he was imprisoned. Hidden behind the tinted windows of a space SUV convoy, no one sees him give up before the authorities. Neither humiliation nor honor for the former president who had ignored a first ultimatum last Sunday. Jacob Zuma had preferred to gather a few thousand followers in front of his home to promise them never to give up.
The police then had until midnight Wednesday night to come and catch him. Caravans of police cars were waiting in the area during the uprising. But in reality, apart from a few supporters who blocked the entrance to his home, no one opposed his arrest. No human shield or strong enough legal arguments to prevent Jacob Zuma from sleeping in jail. At age 79, he began a verdict 15 months in prison.
Jacob Zuma’s most determined supporters had increased the pressure. Police said about 100 people were armed during rallies outside his residence last weekend. The peaceful result of this deviation is a relief.
Report in Inanda Township, northwest of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
On Monday, July 12, the Constitutional Court agreed to reconsider his sentence. Jacob Zuma also appealed to a provincial court to have his sentence annulled. This must be stated on Friday. This surrender is not an admission of guilt, his spokesman said this morning, hoping his sentence will be overturned on Monday. In any case, this is important news, yes, Jacob Zuma, accused in many corruption cases, has always managed to escape justice. It is a victory for our democracy responded several South African personalities.
Dear South Africans and the world. Keep in mind that President Zuma has decided to follow the prison order. He is about to enter a prison facility in KZN. A full statement will be issued in due course. # WenzenuZuma
– JGZuma Foundation (Official) (@JGZ_Foundation) July 7, 2021.
