The Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, investigating corruption during former president Jacob Zuma's time in office, will ask the constitutional court to impose a jail term on Zuma, after he defied the court's order to appear before the inquiry on Monday.

Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, who leads the inquiry, said the inquiry would seek an order that Zuma was in contempt of court, adding that it would be up to the constitutional court to decide what actions it deemed appropriate.