Today, a top court in South Africa has found ex-president Jacob Zuma “guilty of the crime of contempt of court” over his refusal to answer corruption charges. He has been sentenced to 15 months in prison.

“The majority judgement orders an unsuspended sentence of imprisonment for a period,” judge Sisi Khampepe said, adding that “the Constitutional Court can do nothing but conclude that Mr Zuma is guilty of the crime of contempt of court.”

Former President Jacob Zuma was forced to step down by his own party, the ruling African National Congress (ANC), following a series of corruption scandals in 2018. Jacob Zuma ordered an inquiry into the alleged corruption scandals due to immense pressure from his party and the opposition. Jacob Zuma was then ousted shortly after a series of parliamentary seatings, which led to Cyril Ramaphosa being the President of South Africa.

In July 2019, ex-president Jacob Zuma testified only once before walking out of court and accusing the chair of the commission, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, of being biased against him. Since 2019, Jacob Zuma has repeatedly refused requests to appear in court, citing health issues.