[AS IT HAPPENED] High drama in Nkandla as Zuma hands himself over
While Wednesday started off quiet in KwaZulu-Natal, tensions built up as night fell.
It was a night of high drama in Nkandla, the homestead of former President Jacob Zuma, as the deadline approached for him to go to jail.
Zuma was sentenced to jail time after refusing to appear at the Stae Capture Commission of Inquiry and was supposed to hand himself over to the authorities by Sunday, 4 July, failing which the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, had three days to ensure he was taken into custody.
#Nkandla | A high-speed convoy has left Nkandla.
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) July 7, 2021
Speculation is rife that former president Jacob Zuma left with this motorcade but no sighting of him. #ZumaArrest pic.twitter.com/WSNdXUl84n
Zuma's legal team had mounted a last-minute bid to try and avoid his incarceration by petitioning the Consitutional Court.
ALSO READ: ConCourt unlikely to respond to Cele on Zuma arrest- expert
The Foundation wishes to inform the Nation that a letter has been sent to the Constitutional Court to issue a directive prohibiting the execution of the Arrest Order pending the outcome of all legal processes.#WenzenuZuma
— JGZuma Foundation (Official) (@JGZ_Foundation) July 7, 2021
While Wednesday started off quiet in KwaZulu-Natal, tensions built up as night fell.
[NKANDLA VISUALS] The long stretch of road leading to former president Jacob Zuma’s homestead in #Nkandla is almost deserted, a far cry from the scenes witnessed last week. pic.twitter.com/lGHM8XrA4c
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) July 7, 2021
In a dramatic turn of events, paramedics arrived at the scene, saying they received a call that the former statesman’s health is compromised.
They were turned about by Zuma's son, Edward, and members of the now-disbanded MKMVA.
#Nkandla | Paramedics have just arrived, they claim to have received a call that the former statesman’s health is compromised.
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) July 7, 2021
They’ve been turned away by Edward Zuma and MKMVA. pic.twitter.com/yA8BcpSG98
At the eleventh hour, with minutes to go before the final deadline was reached - and where, if Zuma was not in custody, Minister Cele wouldd be in contempt of court - the former president handed himself over.
Dear South Africans and the World.
— JGZuma Foundation (Official) (@JGZ_Foundation) July 7, 2021
Please be advised that President Zuma has decided to comply with the incarceration order.
He is on his way to hand himself into a Correctional Services Facility in KZN.
A full statement will be issued in due course.#WenzenuZuma
Cdes, we celebrate the imprisonment of the Freedom Fighter @PresJGZuma
— Dudu Zuma-Sambudla (@DZumaSambudla) July 7, 2021
Cdes, we celebrate the incarceration of the only man who remained loyal to @MYANC. Cdes, no retreat, no surrender in fighting WMC and their proxy’s in our Leadership. Amandla ✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽!!! pic.twitter.com/SUgNzPmWEf
Zuma's daughter, Dudu Zuma-Sambudla, insisted her father was still in high spirits.
Just spoke @PresJGZuma en route and he is still in high spirits. He said that he hopes they still have his same overalls from Robben Island and we laughed hard that at least he won’t struggle with Afrikaans this time round. We salute dad! Amandla ✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽!!! pic.twitter.com/ooLngCSDXg
— Dudu Zuma-Sambudla (@DZumaSambudla) July 7, 2021
An emiotional Edward Zuma also took to twitter, saying "this is not over" and vowing to "fight till the end."
I DID MY BEST, WE DID OUR BEST COMRADES BUT THE OLD MAN MADE HIS CHOICE 🤷♂️I RESPECT HIS DECISION, BUT TO RAMAPHOSA & ZONDO THIS IS NOT OVER🤞YOU HAVE DECLARED A WAR & WE GONNA FIGHT THIS TILL THE END 😭 #ZumaArrest
— Edward Zuma (@Edwardy_Zuma) July 7, 2021
