South Africa's Top Court Rejects Zuma's Bid To Overturn Jail Sentence

On Friday last week South Africa's top court dismissed a bid by former president Jacob Zuma to overturn his 15-month jail sentence for contempt of court after he ignored instructions to take part in a corruption inquiry.

The sentence came in June after Zuma failed to testify at an inquiry into corruption during his nine-year rule. The case has been viewed by many as a test of post-apartheid South Africa's justice system and its ability to enforce the rule of law against the powerful and affluent.

While recovering in hospital after surgery, Zuma asked the court in July to revoke its sentence for contempt. He argued that the ruling was excessive, and that jail would have a negative impact on his already deteriorating health, which he claimed would ultimately endanger his life.

"The application for rescission is dismissed," Justice Sisi Khampepe said as she read the majority decision to the court late last week. 

"Obviously the foundation is disappointed with this judgement," Mzwanele Manyi, spokesman for the JG Zuma Foundation, said in response to the latest legal setback in the case. 

The department of correctional services placed Zuma on medical parole earlier this month after surgery following his hospitalisation in August. However, this decision is being challenged by the opposition Democratic Alliance. 

Zuma faces a separate corruption trial linked to the sacking of his deputy president in 2005, when he was embroiled in a $2 billion government arms deal.

The long-delayed trial against Zuma, who denies allegations of bribery and misconduct, will continue next week.