Zuma Will Not "Legitimise" Contempt Charge by Responding to Mogoeng

Zuma Will Not "Legitimise" Contempt Charge by Responding to Mogoeng

- Former president Jacob Zuma addressed a 21-page letter to Chief Justice Mogeong Mogoeng on Wednesday

- Zuma stated that he would not be responding to Mogoeng's appeal to have him decide his own sentencing

- Zuma added that he refuses to "legitimise" the contempt of court charge by responding to Mogoeng's letter

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Wednesday, 14 April, was former president Jacob Zuma's last day to inform Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng of the way in which he should be sentenced if he is found guilty of being in contempt of court.

Zuma, however, revealed that he would not be writing to the Constitutional Court. In a 21-page letter addressed to Mogoeng, Zuma stated that if he was found to be in contempt of court he would be the first prisoner of the Constitutional Court.

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This follows Mogoeng's letter to Zuma, last week, giving the former president three days to propose an adequate sentence if he were to be found in contempt of court in no more than 15 pages.

Zuma says 1st prisoner of constitutional court if it locks him up
Jacob Zuma has revealed that he would not be responding to Mogoeng Mogoeng's letter about his possible sentence. Image: RODGER BOSCH/AFP and PHILL MAGAKOE/AFP
Source: Getty Images

According to News24, Zuma stated that the 21-page letter serves as his response to the only manner in terms of which he is able to convey his "conscientious objection" to the way the ConCourt Justices have "abused their power" by allegedly taking away his rights afforded to him by the Constitution of SA.

Zuma further stated that he does not believe he is in contempt of court for choosing not to appear before the State Capture Commission, despite the ConCourt ruling saying he should. Zuma added that it is "clear for all" to see that the ConCourt cannot be persuaded into not jailing him.

EWN reported that JZ would not "legitimise" the contempt of court charge by telling the Chief Justice how he should be sentenced. Speaking about a hearing, Zuma said he did not request one as it was an "invention" of CJ Mogeong.

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In other news about Msholozi, Briefly News previously reported that he has quite a bit of money to cough up for legal fees. The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has ruled that he must repay an estimated R16 million in legal fees.

The court dismissed his appeal dating back to the 2018 ruling that the former president must pay back his personal legal fees relating to his corruption case.

The court ruled that the decision to pay Zuma's legal fees was ‘unlawful, unconstitutional and invalid’ according to eNCA.

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Source: Briefly News

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