ZUMA SENTENCED TO 15 MONTHS IN JAIL FOR CONTEMPT OF COURT

The Constitutional Court has sentenced former South African President Jacob Zuma to 15 months in prison. This follows Zuma's decision to defy a court order to attend the Zondo Commission of Enquiry into allegations of corruption while he was president.

During the judgment on Tuesday, the judge said that "the only appropriate sanction is a direct, unsuspended order of imprisonment" for a total of 15 months. Zuma now has four days to turn himself in to police, either at the Johannesburg Central Police Station or the nearest police station close to his homestead in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal.

The judgment detailed that if Zuma, aged 79 doesn't turn himself in to police at either of the stations stipulated, then Police Minister Bheki Cele and the national police commissioner General Khehla Sitole have been ordered to "take all steps necessary and permissible in law" to ensure the former President is committed to a correctional centre within three calendar days afterwards.

While in prison, Zuma will be appearing in court virtually. The appearance relates to his corruption case scheduled for 19 July.

It's widely believed that Zuma and his family will have to let go of his Presidential benefits that all former heads of state in the country receive. It's unclear as to what extent this will take place as this is the first time that a former or serving President of the country will be going to jail.

Image credit: The South African