The clock is winding down and at this point, only Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo can keep former president Jacob Zuma out of jail.
As reported by SABC News, Police Minister Bheki Cele has indicated that if Zondo doesn’t respond to a letter sent to him, on Tuesday, by the State Attorney noting the police’s reservations about executing an arrest warrant in the midst of a court challenge lodged by the former president, they will be left with no choice but to abide by the order.
Bheki Cele’s deadline on when SAPS will pounce on Jacob Zuma
In the letter to Zondo, Cele and police commissioner Khehla Sitole noted their reservations about performing their duties and pleaded with the State Capture Inquiry chairperson to hold off on the arrest warrant until Zuma exhausts his unorthodox appeal attempts.
However, at this time, Zondo has not entertained the State Attorney letter with a response. If this remains the case, Cele’s office confirmed that police will have no choice but to execute the warrant before midnight.
“We have not received any correspondence from the Constitutional Court and failure for the Constitutional Court to essentially get back to us, we have no choice but to execute the Constitutional Court order, which clearly states that the former president has to be in custody before the end of today (Wednesday 7 July). We still have until midnight to do so. So, we are still waiting essentially,” police ministry spokesperson Lirandzu Themba revealed.
What are Zuma’s options at this juncture?
At the time this article was published, no official statement had been released by the former president, in reaction to these developments.
His attempt to appeal for a permanent stay in the arrest order heard on Tuesday at the Pietermaritzburg High Court, is being deliberated and a judgment will likely be handed down on Friday.
The apex court has also agreed to review its ruling but that will likely take place next week at a date not yet confirmed. Neither of these court bids has a bearing on the former president’s impending arrest.
By virtue of the law, Zuma should be cuffed and booted to jail pending the outcome of his review process. If, after the appeal bids, the ruling stands, then Zuma will have to spend 15 months in jail for refusing to obey a summons order that forced him back into the State Capture hot seat under strict conditions.
However, looking at how things turned out in Nkandla this past weekend, it might not be that straightforward.
This is a developing story.