"I am not afraid of going to jail" - Jacob Zuma

Former President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, says he is not afraid of going to jail if the court decides to jail him.

This follows Mr Zuma's perpetual refusal to appear before the commission of inquiry probing corruption allegations against him.

Zuma has always maintained that he is innocent and that all the allegations against him are politically motivated and mischievous.

On Thursday, Mr Zuma through his lawyers released a lengthy statement explaining the reasons why he has refused to honour the invitation of the commission.

He said he has lost trust in South Africa's Justice System.

He again denied any wrongdoing and reiterated that “All I said is that I am not afraid of going to jail, as I was not under the apartheid system. However, I will not subject myself to an oppressive and unjust court system.”

The Constitutional Court on Thursday, March 25, 2021, reserved judgment in the contempt case against him.

Mr. Zuma's main issue is the neutrality of the chairperson of the commission Justice Ray Zondo who he said is biased against him.

The Commission's lawyer Tembeka Ngcukaitobi has described Mr Zuma's conduct as “deliberate and cynical”.

“His conduct must be seen for what it is. We are dealing with a cynical manoeuvre to avoid accountability", he added.

The court is expected to make its ruling at a later, but undeclared, date.