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Will Zuma's Last-Ditch Effort to Dodge South African Prison Work?

The Pietermaritzburg High Court has heard arguments for and against the impending arrest and imprisonment of former South African president Jacob Zuma and has reserved judgment until Friday July 9, 2021. This means the order for Zuma's arrest remains in place, although it is unclear if the police will enforce it.

Earlier in the week, Zuma held a press briefing in which he said that he was fighting the "injustice" he faces because of his family and comrades. Zuma's prepared statement said: "My age and health condition and any other mitigating circumstances were not considered when the imprisonment was decided. My family and my comrades insisted that these injustices need to be exposed. If it was up to me, I would once again go to jail for my beliefs, as early as today, whether I come out alive or not."

Earlier, the Constitutional Court - the country's highest court - agreed to hear Zuma's application for the rescinding of its judgment, in which he was sentenced to 15 months' direct imprisonment for contempt of court. The matter has been set down for hearing on July, 12, 2021.

The apex court, in a majority judgment, found Zuma guilty of contempt for disobeying its order earlier in the year that he appear before the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, chaired by now Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, to answer allegations from scores of witnesses about his role in State Capture.

InFocus

Ashraf Hendricks/GroundUp

The Constitutional Court (file photo).

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