The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) welcomed Tuesday’s Constitutional Court decision to sentence former President Jacob Zuma to prison for 15 months for failing to appear and participate at the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture.

Acting Chief Justice Sisi Khampepe gave Zuma five days, from Tuesday, to hand himself over to the Nkandla Police Station or the Johannesburg Central Police Station to begin his sentence.

The SAHRC said the sentencing is a watershed judgment that strengthens democracy as it reaffirms that nobody is above the law and that everyone is equal before the law.

The Commission says respect for the rule of law and court decisions is crucial for the protection and promotion of human rights.

“There is a constitutional obligation in terms of section 165 resting on all of us to assist and protect the courts to ensure their independence, dignity and effectiveness. The Commission hopes that this seminal judgement of the Constitutional Court sends a clear message throughout South Africa that contempt of court will not be tolerated, as it undermines the independence and authority of our courts and ultimately constitutional democracy itself,” The SAHRC said.
 
Meanwhile, it has been reported that Zuma supporters are making their way to his Nkandla homestead following prompting by his son Edward Zuma, despite current Covid-19 regulations, which prohibit mass gatherings.