Former president Jacob Zuma's activities in and outside Pietermaritzburg high court from his supporters and heavy weight political figures including Ace Magashule, Supra Mahumapelo, Sihle Zikalala, Malusi Gigaba, Des van Rooyen, Duduzane Zuma, Dudu Myeni etc all coming to pledge support to former president who is facing fraud, corruption and racketeering charges. File Picture: Doctor Ngcobo/African News Agency(ANA)
Published Jun 30, 2021
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DURBAN - The Constitutional Court, the highest court in the land, on Tuesday sentenced former president Jacob Zuma to 15 months’ imprisonment for contempt of court, for failing to appear before the Zondo commission. Durbanites reacted.
Gabisile Nxasana, 55, said she was saddened by the ConCourt’s decision. “I honestly believe that from the very beginning when Zuma started testifying, the Zondo commission was already conspiring against him. The South African justice system has been failing us for some time now. Yes, he acted in contempt of court, but we have hundreds of corruption cases that have been dragging on for years. We have serious issues to worry about. Eskom has been failing for a while and there seems to be no resolution.”Sifiso Makhaya, 48, did not believe that Jacob Zuma would serve his time in jail. “We are most likely to hear about further talk regarding the court’s decision. Cases concerning high-profile leaders are always postponed and ongoing unlike ordinary citizens who are jailed on the spot and sometimes even for crimes that they did not even commit.”Sithembiso Dlela, 34, said: “The Constitutional Court’s ruling that Jacob Zuma is guilty goes to show that truly no one is above the law. It marks the beginning of constitutionalism. Most high-profile cases drag for a while and the public even forgets about the severity of the matter. I am overjoyed knowing that Zuma cannot appeal regarding the court’s decision.”
Zwelihle Majola, 33, said the ConCourt decision was the first of its kind, in South Africa. “I do not believe that Jacob Zuma will actually get arrested and serve the 15 months. It is too good to be true and most likely, another high-profile public stunt. These politicians are hardly held accountable for the crimes that they commit.”Ndumiso Luthuli, 32, said: “The decision was an enforcement of what the Constitution says, that is, no one is above the law. You can never have reasons that are valid for you not to obey a Constitutional Court order to appear before the Zondo Commission. However, I still feel that the justice system is biased because I know a male victim of gender-based violence whom the law failed to protect. The justice system seems to favour women extensively.”
