Jacob Zuma Nkandla

Photo: Twitter

Two days to go: Jacob Zuma’s supporters descend on Nkandla

Former president Jacob Zuma is expected to hand himself over to police, but his supporters say hell will freeze over before that happens

Jacob Zuma Nkandla

Photo: Twitter

With the clock ticking for former president Jacob Zuma to hand himself over to police, scores of his supporters are making the journey to Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), vowing to protect him from any arrest.

People donning ANC shirts bearing the former president’s face were seen chanting and singing struggle songs, not far from his homestead. Zuma has until Sunday, 4 July 2021, to report to a police station and start serving his 15-month prison sentence that was imposed by the Constitutional Court earlier this week.

Some of his supporters, who are also aligned to the African National Congress (ANC) in KZN recently  handed over a memorandum to the party’s provincial headquarters in eThekwini. The members have come to Zuma’s defence, bemoaning what they call the former president’s “suffering.”

Zuma supporters threaten ‘something’ happening if he’s arrested

They have called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene in the matter and use his influence to prevent his predecessor from going to jail. One supporter said Jacob Zuma played a significant role towards ensuring the country’s liberation from the previous apartheid regime and now is his time to retire.

“We are asking the provincial leadership of the ANC to talk to President Cyril Ramaphosa… police would have to arrest us first before they arrest Msholozi. A lot is going to happen (should police try to arrest Zuma), so the president must intervene and avoid something from happening. I won’t say what exactly”

Jacob Zuma supporter

There have been fears of complete upheaval, particularly at the hands of Zuma supporters, should he in fact be taken to prison.

The highest court in the land had found Zuma guilty of contempt of court – a ruling which was in favour of the State Capture Commission. The commission had approached the apex court, after he refused to appear – in violation of another ruling handed by the same court.

Now it has been learnt that Zuma file an urgent application for the rescission of the Constitutional Court ruling. According to reports, he would be expected to serve his sentence at Westville Correctional Centre in KZN.