Jacob Zuma’s judgment by the Constitutional Court on Tuesday has been welcomed by the chairperson of the state capture inquiry, deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo, who said it affirms that “we’re all equal before the law”.
Cape Town – The chairperson of the state capture inquiry, deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo has welcomed the judgment passed on former president Jacob Zuma by the Constitutional court on Tuesday.
Zuma, 79, was sentenced to a 15-month jail term for contempt of court following his refusal to appear before graft investigators.
“We welcome the judgment… we think that the judgment is of great importance to the rule of law… It affirms the principle that we are all equal before the law.
“We have again seen the judiciary stepping forward and doing what the constitution expects of it,” Zondo said, as he briefed members of the media on Wednesday.
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Zuma was accused of enabling the plunder of state coffers during his nearly nine-year stay in office.
He only testified once, in July 2019, before staging a walkout days later and accusing the Zondo of bias.
Zuma then ignored several invitations to reappear, citing medical reasons and preparations for another corruption trial.
He presented himself again briefly in November but left before questioning, and Zondo asked the Constitutional Court to intervene.
Zondo said the judgment by the Constitutional Court vindicated the rule of law in South Africa.
“We think it’s a very important judgment for the country… We have done what was expected of us in terms of the Constitution and the law. In handing down the judgment, the Constitutional Court also marked the end of the part of the judiciary,” Zondo said.
Picture: Twitter/@RianteP
By Betha Madhomu
