Navigation Jacob Zuma, a former charismatic and polarizing president. Looking in registering confirming restoration of his password

This content was published on July 8, 2021 - 00:50

He embodies the best and worst in South Africa: former president Jacob Zuma, who was a political imprisonment for his fight against apartheid, gave himself Wednesday to the police after a conviction for refusing to declare before an anti -corruption commission.

Forced to give up the presidency in 2018 after a series of scandals, the old "79 -year -old fighter" who never went to school, enjoys a fervent popular support and retains a great influence on the political machinery of his country.

He was close to preventing the power of his successor, Cyril Ramaphosa, unleashing a war of factions inside the ruling African National Congress (CNA).

Although he said that "I am not afraid of justice," last week the Constitutional Court, the highest court in the country, sentenced him to 15 months in prison for contempt of justice.

The courts and an anti-corruption commission have been behind him for years for complaints of diversion of public resources during his nine years in power (2009-2018).

But he was finally condemned for racing in anger against the institutions and laughing on the face of those who investigated him.

After a week of resources in justice, the cunning and charismatic politician gave the authorities shortly before the deadline given by the court before the police stopped him.

He left his residence in Nkandla (East) and shortly after he delivered in a correctional center in the region, his foundation announced.

- "He who laughs" -

The last months, Zuma challenged the authorities since his residence in the Zulu countryside, where he made renovations worth 20 million euros (24 million dollars) during his presidency, under the pretext that they were "security work."

The ex -president whose second name, Giveleyihlekisa, means in Zulu language "the one who laughs at his enemies," Jovial recently appeared in his Tiktok account dancing with his small daughters.

When the CNA was outlawed under apartheid, "JZ" was the dreaded intelligence chief, hard against traitors and regime's informants.He also spent 10 years in Robben Island prison, next to Nelson Mandela.

In 2018, before the end of his second term, he was involved in a spiral of scandals and abuses of power, although he maintained a solid support network between legislators and political authorities.

Some recognize him as a guardian of the traditions that sometimes saw the suit of the Zulu warriors, with leopard's skin, to participate in tribal dances.

Zuma has four wives and at least 20 children.

The former president is an old acquaintance of the courts.In 2006 he was acquitted of charges of raping the daughter of one of his former fighting partners.

On that occasion he scandalized the country by stating that "I took a shower" after an unprotected relationship to avoid the spread of HIV, since the young woman is seropositive.

Zuma also faces charges for a bribe.

The former president declared himself not guilty in that case, and has presented numerous defense resources.The next hearing is scheduled for July 19.