South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma sentenced to 15 months in Jail

South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma has been sentenced to 15 months by the highest court in the country for a contempt committed while he held office as President.

The country’s Constitutional Court found him guilty of contempt after defying the court’s order to appear at an inquiry into corruption while he was president.

Mr Zuma’s regime was punctuated by widespread corruption till it ended in 2018.

During his time, businessmen were accused of conspiring with politicians to influence the decision-making process in the country.

The former president made one appearance at the inquiry into what has become known as “state capture” but then refused to appear subsequently.

The inquiry – headed by Justice Raymond Zondo – asked the Constitutional Court to intervene.

It is not clear if Mr. Zuma will now be arrested.

In a separate legal matter, Mr. Zuma pleaded not guilty last month in his corruption trial involving a $5bn (£3bn) arms deal from the 1990s.