The Constitutional Court ruled on Tuesday that former President Jacob Zuma was in contempt of court when he defied an order to appear at the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture.

Zuma failed to appear at the inquiry led by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo in February. He has repeatedly said that he would rather go to prison than cooperate with the commission, which is hearing evidence of corruption under his presidency.

Zuma was given an unsuspended sentenced of 15 months imprisonment and has 5 days to appear at the Johannesburg Central or Nkandla police station to begin serving his sentence.

Justice Sisi Khampepe read out the judgment which hit back against Zuma’s attacks on the Constitutional Court’s authority and legitimacy.

“Never before has the judicial process been so threatened. It goes without saying that neither the public’s vested interested nor the ends of justice would be served if we declined to exercise our special authority as the guardian of the Constitution and if this matter were to be required to traverse the ordinary and lengthy appeals process. Furthermore the vigour with which Mr Zuma is peddling his disdain of the Constitutional Court and the judicial process carries the risk that he will inspire others to similarly defy court orders,” Khampepe warned.

The Constitutional Court said there was no doubt that Zuma was in contempt of court and noted that a suspended sentence would only prolong his defiance and would send out a dangerous message that those who defy court orders would face no consequences.

“Mr Zuma has not presented any evidence to establish a reasonable doubt as to whether his disobedience of the order was wilful and mala fide and the extent to which Mr Zuma has attempted to justify his defiance through public statements is of no relevance,” the court concluded.

In reaction to the news Zuma's daughter Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla said on Twitter that she has spoken with her father.

"Amandla! Just spoke to my father, @PresJGZuma is in high spirits and has no fear. We have a choice between serving our time in JHB or Nkandla…Of course we have chosen to be close to home. Lockdown or no lockdown we will escourt (sic) you to serve your time," she tweeted.