Former South African president Zuma surrenders to police

Jacob Zuma, the former South Africa president who led the country between 2009 and 2018, surrendered to police on Wednesday in compliance with last week's ruling by the Constitutional Court.

Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison after being found guilty of contempt of court for defying the order by the Constitutional Court of South Africa to appear before an inquiry commission to answer questions on corruption allegations during his nine years as president.

Lirandzu Themba, the spokesperson of the Police Ministry, confirmed Zuma had been placed in police service custody in compliance with the Constitutional Court judgement.

The former president had been given five days, ending yesterday, to surrender himself to police. Failure to do that would have resulted in his arrest.

Crowds of his supporters gathered outside his home on Sunday, claiming to prevent his arrest.

However, the 79-year-old Zuma, who has maintained that he is the victim of a political conspiracy, handed himself over to police peacefully, contrary to his initial stand.

"Please be advised that President Zuma has decided to comply with the incarceration order. He is on his way to hand himself into a Correctional Services Facility in KwaZulu-Natal," his foundation tweeted on Wednesday.

South Africans expressed mixed reactions following the development. While some felt it was a good decision, others opposed it.

In a tweet, Carl Niehaus said he had seen Zuma before leaving for prison and as usual he was strong. "This is heartbreaking. I am heartbroken and very angry. Loudly crying," he wrote.

"Just spoke to President Zuma en route and he is still in high spirits. He said that he hopes they still have his same overalls from Robben Island and we laughed hard that at least he won't struggle with Afrikaans this time round. We salute dad!," his daughter, Dudu Zuma-Sambudla, tweeted.

Edward Zuma, his son tweeted, "I did my best, we did our best, comrades, but the old man made his choice. I respect his decision."

Mmusi Maimane, a South African citizen, said the country must rise and uphold its constitution.

"However difficult this is. My sympathies lie with citizens who tonight are without jobs, healthcare and education due to the unabated corruption that the African National Congress Party advanced through Jacob Zuma," he tweeted.

Prof Jonathan Moyo, Zimbabwe's former minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, termed Zuma's decision as wise.

Zuma resigned as South Africa's president in February 2018 after being forced by his party, the African National Congress Party, to do so over corruption allegations.