By South Africa’s top court on Tuesday found former president Jacob Zuma in contempt of court following his refusal to appear before a graft panel.
“The Constitutional Court can do nothing but conclude that Mr. Zuma is guilty of the crime of contempt of court,” judge Sisi Khampepe said.
Blackbox Nigeria reported earlier that Jacob Zuma had pleaded not guilty on a corruption case dating back over two decades.
The 79-year-old faces 16 charges of fraud, graft and racketeering relating to a 1999 purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats and military gear from five European arms firms for 30 billion rand.
Zuma — who at the time was President Thabo Mbeki’s deputy — is accused of accepting bribes totaling four million rand.
The ex-president’s plea concludes years of delay in the long-awaited trial, which many South Africans say will deliver the verdict of history on his turbulent presidency.
Details shortly…
