Former President Jacob Zuma told his supporters that he is prepared to go to prison should he be found guilty of corrupt conduct. President Zuma was addressing his supporters at OR Tambo Airport soon after touching down from Cuba where he was undergoing medical treatment.
Zuma is currently being investigated for fraud, racketeering and money laundering relating to a $2.5bn (£1.98bn) deal to buy European military hardware for South Africa’s armed forces in the late 1990s. Zuma was president from May 9, 2009 – February 14, 2018. He has been served to appear in court on May 6.
Zuma’s name has been synonymous to corruption and state capture. He is battling a plethora of problems that resulted from his friendship with the Gupta Family which led to the famous State Capture Inquiry.
A large group mostly from his Zulu Clan thronged the country’s busiest airport OR Tambo on Saturday to welcome him. He gave a brief speech were he assured the nation that he will not run away from justice, but will appear in court only when his doctors clears him to do so. “I am prepared to go to jail if im found guilty,” said Zuma. However, the judge presiding over his case Dhaya Pillay is not convinced that President Zuma is not well. He questions his medical report.
Members of the Jacob Zuma Support Group are equally unhappy with the judge’s behaviour. “We are talking about a man who gave his entire life for the freedom of this country even for the freedom of that judge Dhaya Pillay to come now and question the medical certificate to tell us that it’s not authentic and to an extent of issuing a warrant of arrest its vilification of president Jacob Zuma it is very personal,” said Nkosentsha Shezi, leader of the grouping.