Following today’s Constitutional Court ruling against former president Jacob Zuma, there has been a mix of celebration and renewed faith in the country, anger and defiance from Jacob Zuma’s supporters, and even pessimism and apathy from those who simply think nothing will come of it.
The Constitutional Court found Jacob Zuma guilty of contempt of court, and sentenced him to 15 months imprisonment. They strongly condemned Zuma’s behaviour and ruled he hand himself over to police at either Nkandla station or Johannesburg Central within 5 calendar days, to commence his sentence.
Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen’s response
“Today’s judgment against Zuma confirms that no one can stand above the law in SA. This is a major day for the DA. For 12 years we have pursued the case against Jacob Zuma relentlessly.” – John Steenhuisen, DA Leader.
Carl Niehaus rallies behind Jacob Zuma
Former African National Congress (ANC) spokesperson and MK (uMkhonto we Sizwe) Veteran Carl Neihaus, made immediate social media statements heavily criticising the Constitutional Court. Niehaus controversially stated that “it is now the democratic duty of every peace-loving South African who wants to see justice, to stand up, to resist, and not to accept this outrage.”
Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association Statement
He later added an official media “statement of outrage” by MKMVA (Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association).
It remains to be seen if Jacob Zuma will willingly turn himself into the authorities.
