Constitutional Court ‘cannot allow Zuma defiance to go unpunished’
Professor Ivor Sarakinsky from the Wits School of Governance says the Constitutional Court cannot let former president Jacob Zuma’s defiance go unpunished.
Zuma has defied the apex court, which ordered him to appear and testify at the commission of inquiry into state capture.
The former head of state was supposed to testify at the commission this week, but was a no-show on Monday.
The commission set aside a week to hear Zuma tell his side of the story after some 40 witnesses implicated him in allegations of state capture.
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“The reality of the matter is that the Constitutional Court can’t let this go, as it undermines their precious ruling and the ConCourt status as the decider of law in South Africa. It also undermines the basic principle that everyone is equal before the court of law," says Sarakinsky.
“The appeal now is to the Constitutional Court to issue an instruction to enforce the previous ruling. That will entail an arrest of sorts or even a letter to the NPA, saying that action needs to be taken, the form will be determined by the ConCourt as well.”
Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo confirmed on Monday that the commission will ask the apex court to impose a jail term on Zuma for contempt of court.
