Jacob Zuma

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Lore & Background

Jacob Zuma was taken into custody after declining to testify at the Zondo Commission, an inquiry into allegations of corruption during his term as president from 2009 to 2018. On 29 June 2021, he was sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt of court, after he refused to appear at a commission his government appointed to investigate alleged corruption during his time in office, and engaged in what the judges characterised as a 'politically motivated smear campaign' against the country's judiciary. He was given until the end of 4 July to hand himself in, after which the South African Police Service would be obliged to arrest him. Supporters had gathered near his home with weapons to prevent his arrest but he handed himself over to the police on 7 July, and was jailed at the Estcourt Correctional Centre. On 8 July 2021, the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola announced that Zuma would be eligible for parole upon serving a quarter of his 15-month sentence. Zuma challenged his detention on 9 July in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on the grounds of health but this was rejected. His imprisonment led to violent protests by his supporters in KwaZulu-Natal, which quickly developed into widespread looting in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. The Constitutional Court reserved judgment on Zuma's application to rescind his sentence on 12 July 2021. On the same day, the Constitutional Court of South Africa rejected Zuma's bid to rescind his prison sentence, requiring him to remain imprisoned.

Reader's Guide

Jacob Zuma's significance lies in his legal battles and the unrest triggered by his imprisonment. He was charged with corruption in March 2018 in connection with the South African Arms Deal, known as the 'Strategic Defence Package' worth R30 billion (equal to US$2.5 billion or £2 billion). The legal battle continued, with Zuma's legal team attempting to have the charges dismissed and appealing for more time to prepare. During the trial proceedings, Zuma was repeatedly absent from the court, citing medical reasons and lack of funds. On 29 June 2021, he was sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt of court. The unrest began in KwaZulu-Natal on the evening of 9 July 2021, the same day the Pietermaritzburg High Court upheld his conviction and prison sentence. The unrest spread to Gauteng on the evening of 11 July. The South African government reported that 354 people had died in the riots. As of 12 August 2022, 5,500 people had been arrested in connection with the unrest. The expert panel into the July 2021 civil unrest concluded in November 2021 that the riots were at least to some extent organized rather than spontaneous, coining the term 'organised spontaneity'.

Did You Know?

• Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt of court on 29 June 2021 after refusing to appear at the Zondo Commission.
• He handed himself over to police on 7 July 2021 and was jailed at the Estcourt Correctional Centre.
• His imprisonment sparked the 2021 South African unrest, which resulted in 354 deaths and 5,500 arrests as of 12 August 2022.
• The Constitutional Court rejected Zuma's bid to rescind his prison sentence on 12 July 2021.
• Zuma was charged with corruption in March 2018 in connection with the South African Arms Deal worth R30 billion.