There's been a resounding welcome of the landmark ruling by the Constitutional Court which found former president Jacob Zuma in contempt of court and sentenced him to 15 months imprisonment.
Political parties and civil society described the apex court's judgment on the matter which was brought forward by the Zondo commission investigating allegations of state capture as victory for the rule of law.
Delivering the precedent-setting and watershed ruling yesterday, acting deputy chief justice Sisi Khampepe said no one was above the law as she found Zuma guilty of contempt of its order to comply with directives of the Zondo commission, headed by deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo.
Khampepe directed Zuma to submit himself to the SA Police Service (SAPS) at Nkandla police station or Johannesburg Central police station within five days to be given a correctional centre where he will serve his sentence.
Khampepe said the court had sought a punishment that vindicated its authority and the rule of law while sending a message that court orders had to be obeyed.
She said if he fails to hand himself over, police minister Bheki Cele and national commissioner Gen Khehla Sitole have been directed to ensure Zuma was presented into a correctional facility within three days in the event that he does not submit himself to the SAPS as per court judgment.
DA leader John Steenhuisen said Zuma’s sentencing was a message that no one is above the law irrespective of their position in society.
“I sincerely hope that Mr Zuma will hand himself and serve his sentence and urge restraint on his followers to ensure that the rule of law is upheld in SA. This is how a constitutional democracy should work and the judgment has once again proven that the rule of law is alive and well in South Africa,” Steenhuisen said.
The Congress of the People (Cope) said Zuma "was under the impression that he is untouchable and above the law".
"This judgment is a victory for our Constitution and the rule of law. Zuma has repeatedly said that he would rather go to prison than to cooperate with the Zondo commission. The Constitutional Court has once again assured us that South Africa will never be turned into a Banana Republic,” Cope spokesperson Dennis Bloem said.
The SA Communist Party (SACP) called on everybody to respect the judgment.
"It is important for the commission to finish its work. The SACP reaffirms its support for the mandate and work of the commission of inquiry into state capture as established by former president Jacob Zuma when he was the president of the Republic,” the party said in a statement.
ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe said the ruling party will have to look into the judgment. “We will be studying the judgment and we will be having a national executive [committee] meeting as the ANC to reflect on the consequences and implications of the judgment itself.
"We affirm our support for institutions established to uphold constitutional democracy and our commitment to support the rule of law,” Mabe said.
Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) said the apex court's judgment was "a clear message underlining the independence of the courts, which must act without fear or favour".
"It sends a strong message to the country and the world that accountability is being meted out and the rule of law is being applied. Jacob Zuma has no one to blame but himself. He displayed contempt for the state capture commission and the ConCourt, making a mockery of his publicly made oath as incoming president – twice – to uphold the Constitution,” said Outa CEO Wayne Duvenage.
ANC stalwart and Struggle veteran Mavuso Msimang said Zuma’s judgment was a “memorable day in the history of our country”.
“It is a day of rejoicing because there has been a triumph of democracy over tendencies towards aristocratism and things that really don’t belong to SA,” Msimanga said.
He said Zuma’s sentencing was the beginning in the long fight for accountability and against corruption in government, which manifested in state capture.
The Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation said the ruling was a watershed. “Today, our judiciary defended our democracy, our constitution, and thusthe citizens of South Africa.”
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