SA Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture has welcomed the 15-month jail sentence handed down to former president Jacob Zuma.
On Tuesday, the Constitutional Court sentenced former president Jacob Zuma to 15 months in prison for contempt against court after failing to appear before the commission chaired by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.
Mr. Zuma has been been ordered by the court to hand himself over to the Nkandla or Johannesburg police stations within five days to start serving his prison sentence. It has been confirmed the former president has “chosen to be close to home”.
“The commission views the judgment as one of great importance for the rule of law, the principle of equality before the law, the primacy of our Constitution, and the protection of our constitutional democracy,” the commission said in a statement.
Many believe this is a true indication of the saying which goes like “The law is a no respecter of person.”
“The judgment is also significant for the independence of our judiciary. In the commission’s view the judgment sends a profoundly important message to all in our country that there are serious consequences for anyone who defies summonses and orders of courts and that such conduct will not be tolerated, no matter what the person’s status is in society.
“The commission will continue with its work in the knowledge that the highest court in the land has made it clear that summonses issued by the commission most be complied with and orders of courts must be obeyed.”
