Former South Africa President Jacob Zuma surrendered yesterday to police to begin his 15-month prison sentence as militia violence began in the streets of KZN.
Barely 40 minutes before the deadline set by the Constitutional Court, Jacob Zuma surrendered to the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police. The former South African president, sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt of justice, has chosen to serve his sentence quietly. Justice had refused his order to quash the conviction this Tuesday. And, for weeks, Zuma's supporters, including Zulu warriors and ANC guerrillas, had mobilized around his home.
So, it's an incredible development that the Zuma case is going through. His peaceful surrender demonstrates political maturity. Jacob Zuma had, since the start of his corruption case, shown great disdain for South African justice. However, he has complied with the legal process since Saturday, when he pleaded that his imprisonment would be risky because of the Covid-19 health crisis.
However, between the talks and the surrender, it is a twist that the former president makes. It is more than likely that the fear of violence that his possible arrest would cause him to change his mind. Zuma activists have shown great hostility. Armed with spears, they barricaded the neighborhood where Zuma lives, and threatened to intervene if the police intervene.
South Africa: the former president #Jacob_Zuma spends his first night in prison @CivuadiKalanga @CybelleKamba @ PatrickKabeng12 @AngelKazadi @central_sage @theParrainRDC @AndyBemba pic.twitter.com/N3WK1aHklM
— 🇨🇩𝕾𝖔𝖓 𝖊𝖝𝖈𝖊𝖑𝖊𝖓𝖈𝖊 🇪 🇻 🅰️ 22k🇨🇩 (@evatntumba) July 8, 2021
Jacob Zuma: "I hope they still have my suit from Robben Island"
Indeed, one of Zuma's supporters said: "We are all ready to die before they get their hands on President Zuma." Misuzulu Zwelithini's New Diet and the ongoing riots in Eswatini would be favorable for an increase in violence. Especially considering that Zuma himself is Zulu. A possible agreement between Zuma and Mswati III, the Swazi ruler, would cause war in South Africa. The country is officially the most dangerous and most armed in all of Africa.
Then, the fact that Jacob Zuma surrenders to the KZN police is ingenious. The former president is certainly trying to maneuver towards court sessions in KwaZulu-Natal, not Cape Town. So, he would systematically eliminate the parliamentary committee future hearings. Because Zuma is not condemned for contempt of justice only. Zuma faces a case of embezzlement. The accusation dates back to 1999, when he was still vice-president. The French armaments company Thalès and French presidents Jacques Chirac and Nicolas Sarkozy would be involved in that case.
Then, Zuma faces more recent charges, dating from 2008. Judge Raymond Zondo's commission examines allegations that he is involved in a money laundering and corruption case. The three businessmen Atul, Ajay and Rajesh Gupta, from the Indian conglomerate Bosasa, allegedly plundered state resources with the support of Zuma.
Despite his now tarnished reputation, the former president holds considerable weight within the historic party, the African National Congress. He does not hesitate to recall his activism in the fight against apartheid. Jacob Zuma said, before leaving his home yesterday: "I hope they still have my outfit from Robben Island". Evoking his incarceration in the penitentiary of the same name, alongside Nelson Mandela.
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