Former South African President Jacob Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison on Tuesday by the country’s highest court. The sentence comes as former president Jacob Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt of court after he refused to appear before an anti-corruption commission.
This verdict “by a majority of its members,” said Judge Sisi Khampe. “The Constitutional Court has no option but to find that Jacob Zuma is in contempt of court,” the judge said before handing down the sentence.
Zuma’s term in office, which ended in 2018, has been marred by allegations of corruption.
Businessmen were accused of conspiring with politicians to influence decision-making.
The former president made an appearance at the investigation into what has become known as “state capture,” but declined to appear afterward.
It is unclear whether Mr. Zuma will now be arrested.
In a separate legal matter, Mr. Zuma pleaded not guilty last month in his corruption trial over a $5 billion (£3 billion) arms deal from the 1990s.
