According to Police Minister Bheki Cele, police are not in a rush to arrest former President Jacob Zuma in line with a Constitutional Court order.
Zuma was sentenced by the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) on Tuesday, June 29, to 15 months imprisonment for contempt of court.
Read also: Jacob Zuma sentenced to 15 months imprisonment
This was confirmed on Tuesday for his failure to comply with a Constitutional Court order to honour a subpoena to appear before the State Capture Inquiry, as per News24.
The court ordered Khehla Sitole to arrest Zuma if he failed to hand himself over within five days. However, Cele then said on Monday that there was still time for police to act if there was a need to do so.
When speaking in Gauteng, at the launch of the vaccination drive for the police sector, he added that his office was given until midnight on Wednesday to arrest him.
Meanwhile, Zuma wants the apex court’s judgment to be rescinded.
The former president mentioned that because of his “unstable state of health… [and his] physical life that the incarceration order threatens” he is “entitled” to have the Constitutional Court re-examine its ruling.
“It is [the] right to life itself which may be stake,” Zuma says. “It is therefore no exaggeration to label mine and as cruel and degrading punishment.”
Read also: Zuma pleads for ConCourt’s decision to be reconsidered
The Department of Justice is hoped to guide police forward “because when we were given the instruction, there were no other legal activities taking place,” Cele said.
The rescission application will be heard by the Constitutional Court on July 12.
Meanwhile, Zuma supporters descended on Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal over the weekend.
Read also: WATCH: Zuma addresses supporters at Nkandla
It is said that no arrests were made on Sunday as an attempt to avoid bloodshed as supporters hoarded at Nkandla over the weekend.
Cele concluded that police investigations were continuing. According to him, arrests have not been ruled out.
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Ramaphosa called to take action against Zuma and supporters after mass gathering
Picture: Twitter