Edward Zuma, the son of former president Jacob Zuma says police will have to kill him first before they can get to arrest his father. His remarks came after SA’s top court sentenced Zuma to 15 months imprisonment.
Edward Zuma, the son of former South African president Jacob Zuma says police will have to kill him first before they can get to arrest his father.
His remarks came after the Constitutional court on Tuesday handed Zuma a 15-month jail term for contempt of court following his refusal to appear before graft investigators.
Zuma, 79, was accused of enabling the plunder of state coffers during his nearly nine-year stay in office.
Speaking to broadcasting television channel eNCA’s Siphamandla Goge outside Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal, Edward said he will lay down his life in defence of his father.
“As Edward Zuma, I think my position has been known, and I still maintain my position that whatever decisions are taken by law enforcement agencies of this country, well they will have to kill me first before such thing is implemented,” he said.
Watch the interview below (Courtesy eNCA)
“I will lay down my life for president Zuma. They are not going to take him to prison when I’m still alive. They will have to kill me first, I insist on that,” Edward said.
He also urged his father’s supporters to ignore Covid-19 regulations and gather at Nkandla to show their support for Zuma.
“What do you mean what about Covid-19 restrictions? We know we are in a situation of war here, we can’t be considering Covid-19 situations. If it means we die, we die, we are prepared to die.
“This is something that has not been planned. Any person who wants to come is welcome to come at any time,” said Edward.
ALSO READ | Jacob Zuma gets 15-month jail term for contempt of court
Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile, however, indicated that her father would comply with the 15-month jail term and hand himself over to the Nkandla police station.
In a tweet, following the court’s judgment on Tuesday, Duduzile said she had spoken to her father.
“We have a choice between serving our time in Joburg or Nkandla. Of course we (sic) have chosen to be close to home. Lockdown or no lockdown, we will escort you to serve your time,” she tweeted.
Amandla! Just Spoke To My Father, @PresJGZuma Is In High Spirits And Has No Fear. We Have A Choice Between Serving Our Time In Jhb Or Nkandla…Of Course We Have Chosen To Be Close To Home. Lockdown Or No Lockdown We Will Escourt You To Serve Your Time. ✊?✊?✊? pic.twitter.com/Yrybea4Skt
— Dudu Zuma-Sambudla (@DZumaSambudla) June 29, 2021
Meanwhile, according to IOL, political parties on Tuesday welcomed the Constitutional Court judgment, saying it was a victory for the rule of law.
The parties said the judgment sent a stern message that no one was above the law, and that all citizens must respect the courts and the law
Zuma only testified once, in July 2019, before staging a walkout days later and accusing the Zondo Zondo of bias.
He 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.
ALSO READ | Jacob Zuma contempt case: Top court to rule on Tuesday
Most of the graft investigated by the commission involved three brothers from a wealthy Indian business family, the Guptas, who won lucrative government contracts and were allegedly even able to choose cabinet ministers.
Zuma is separately facing 16 charges of fraud, graft and racketeering relating to a 1999 purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats and military gear from five European arms firms for 30 billion rand, then the equivalent of nearly $5 billion.
At the time of the purchase, Zuma was president Thabo Mbeki’s deputy.
He is accused of accepting bribes totalling four million rand from one of the firms, French defence giant Thales.
Picture: Twitter/@DZumaSamudla
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
