S.Africa's Zuma Told To Suggest Own Sentence In Contempt Case
Muhammad Irfan Published April 13, 2021 | 05:00 PM
Johannesburg, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Apr, 2021 ) :South Africa's ex-president Jacob Zuma has until Wednesday to suggest what sentence he should be given if found guilty of contempt of court, in a marked deviation from the standard rule book.
Zuma, who turned 79 on Monday, repeatedly snubbed a judicial panel investigating the plunder of state coffers during his nine-year rule, claiming bias on the part of its chair and political interference in the judiciary.
The former head of state testified only once in July 2019 before staging a walkout days later.
On January 28, the Constitutional Court ordered Zuma to appear before the commission -- led by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo -- but he ignored the order.
Zondo then petitioned the country's top court to jail the scandal-tainted former leader for two years for contempt.
A defiant Zuma skipped the hearing last month and did not file required affidavits.
The court now wants Zuma to determine "what constitutes the appropriate sanction" if he is found guilty.
Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng last Friday directed Zuma to file an affidavit of no longer than 15 pages on or before Wednesday explaining "the nature and magnitude of sentence that should be imposed" on him.
It is still unclear if the former president will honour the directive.
Neither his lawyer nor his foundation -- the two avenues for his communications -- replied to repeated attempts for comment.
Experts say it was uncommon for the court to issue such a directive.
- 'Mafia state' - The decision creates an impression of special treatment, said James Grant, a constitutional lawyer, but he added that a soft landing could also spell bad news for Zuma.
The court's judges are "bending over backwards to accommodate him... and are preparing to give him a harsh sentence.
"They want to show themselves as having taken every possible opportunity to hear from him," Grant explained.
Law professor Omphemetse Sibanda of the University of Limpopo warned that the court's actions could spell disaster for the country.
In the long term, courts risk being abused by a "clique of rogue powerful elite and politicians as if South Africa is a mafia state where the judiciary is responsible to the politicians," he wrote in a column on News24 website.
Zuma had earlier this year compared the courts to the apartheid judiciary functioning under white minority rule.
While highlighting his own anti-apartheid exploits, Zuma said in a statement that he was ready for "the law to take its course" and did not fear being arrested, convicted or incarcerated.
"The wrath visited upon me as an individual knows no bounds," he said.
Zuma's defiance has split his ruling African National Congress (ANC) party with one faction, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, vowing to stamp out corruption.
The country's highest court will make its ruling at an undecided later date.
The findings of the anti-corruption commission will not lead directly to indictments but may be handed to the prosecution for possible charges.
Zuma, who came to power in 2009, was forced to resign in 2018 over graft scandals involving an Indian business family, the Guptas -- who won lucrative contracts with state companies and were allegedly even able to choose cabinet ministers.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Attaullah Tarar’s success notification from NA-127 challenged
PSX witnesses positive trend today
PM Shehbaz meets CJP Isa to address IHC judges’ concerns
Pakistan vows to bring to justice perpetrators, abettors of Bisham terrorist att ..
May 9 riots: SC allows conditionally to military courts to deliver reserved verd ..
Interior Minister arrives in Peshawar after Shangla suicide attack
OPPO Reno 11 F 5G: Setting New Records as Pakistan's Most Beloved Smartphone Lin ..
PCB dismisses FICA's claims of unpaid dues in PSL
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 28 March 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 28 March 2024
Niger says US to submit plan to 'disengage' troops
Venezuelan opposition registers unknown poll contender after obstacles
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Shaheed Jalil Andrabi remembered on his martyrdom anniversary
1 day ago -
Architectural grandeur of Mohabat Khan Mosque attracts visitors, archeology lovers
1 day ago -
Besant Hall cultural centre to hold programme in memory Pir Hassam din Rashdi
3 days ago -
USA beats Mexico 2-0 for CONCACAF Nations League title
3 days ago -
World urged to intervene for peace in Kashmir
4 days ago -
Undeterred resolve – only way to end economic woes
4 days ago
-
Organic Food: A booming trend in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
4 days ago -
From Soil to Harvest: Use of modern technology vital for agricultural renaissance
4 days ago -
Spring season offers glimpse into GB's natural beauty, cultural heritage
4 days ago -
Nation to mark decades’ long journey of resilience through annals of history
6 days ago -
23rd March: A historic day reminds Muslims’ heroic struggle for Pakistan
6 days ago -
Measures urged to recharge depleting water table: Experts
6 days ago