The Defend Our Democracy Campaign notes today’s Constitutional Court judgment finding former President Jacob Zuma guilty of contempt of court and sentencing him to 15 months’ imprisonment.
The judgment is an important vindication of the Constitution’s authority, the independence of South Africa’s judiciary and the rule of law. In particular, today’s judgment underlines the essential principle that all are equal before the Constitution and our law.
Our constitutional democracy has been hard won, entailing sacrifice from many in the fight for South Africa’s democracy. This moment demands that that struggle for constitutional democracy be honoured.
We call on the former President and his supporters to respect and abide by the decision of the Court. Moreover, we call on the criminal justice authorities to act on the judgement and ensure effective implementation thereof.
