NKANDLA (South Africa) Jacob Zuma, the former South African President, told hundreds of supporters gathered at his rural estate that he was appealing his 15-month sentence in prison and his impending arrest.Zuma was sentenced to prison last week by South Africa's Constitutional Court for refusing to testify before a commission looking into allegations of corruption during Zuma's presidency from 2009 to 2018. Numerous witnesses, including ex-Ministers of Cabinet and executives of state-owned companies, testified to Zuma's wrongdoing.Zuma didn't surrender to authorities in five days as ordered by the court. He now faces arrest by policeMany Zumas supporters, some of whom had traveled over 400 km (250 miles) to support Zuma, gathered outside Zuma’s sprawling Nkandla compound in rural KwaZulu-Natal province. They pledged to stop any attempts to arrest Zuma.To reduce tensions, top officials from the ruling African National Congress party went to KwaZulu-Natal in an effort to encourage Zuma and other members of the opposition to follow the court orders and avoid violent confrontations.Zuma's supporters were determined Sunday. Clad in ANC uniforms bearing Zuma's portrait and Tshirts with the question Zulu Wenzeni uZuma? (What did Zuma do?) They performed songs praising Zuma for his role in the 1980s fight against white minority rule, also known as apartheid.They defied South Africa’s COVID-19 regulations that mandate the wearing of masks and prohibit all social and political gatherings.Zuma addressed his supporters and reiterated that he doesn't fear being imprisoned because he was previously imprisoned by apartheid for 10 years on Robben Island.Continue the storyI don't fear going to prison. Zuma said in Zulu that he went to prison to fight for freedom and rights.No one can take my rights away just because they think that they know the law. Zuma said that those with whom I fought for freedom would be buried.Zuma has taken several court actions in an effort to avoid being imprisoned. Zuma filed a request to the Constitutional Court for a rescinding of his sentence on Friday. The court will hear the application on July 12."We have written to the Constitutional Court to request that this sentence be repealed or reduced. We have been given a date for us to present our case." said Zuma.His foundation announced that Zuma will request an interdict to prevent the police from arresting his on Tuesday.Zuma's supporters claim they want the sentence dropped entirely.Ngrayi Ngwenya (an ANC member from Mpumalanga Province) said he had traveled all the way to Zuma's home to show support.Ngwenya said that Jacob Zuma has done a lot to help this country, and that he has been unfairly treated by the justice system.Sibongiseni Bhengu, another supporter, stated that he and others gathered at Zuma's homestead to stop police from arresting the latter.He stated that Zuma will not be going to prison. "They will need to go through us first.
