Following his sentencing last week, former South Africa President Jacob Zuma claims that he is too old for jail.
Addressing the media on Sunday evening, Jacob Zuma said sending him to jail during the height of a pandemic at his age was the same as sentencing him to death.
The former president said he wasn’t seeking to destruct the work of the state capture commission, but all he is asking for is fairness and consistency in the application of the law. He however said South Africa was sliding back into apartheid-like rule
“The fact that I was sentenced without trial should induce shock to all those who cherish the rule of law. The rule of law doesn’t deal harshly with those you may dislike for whatever reason. South Africa is sliding back to apartheid-like rule. I am facing detention without trial. Elsewhere the Secretary-General of the ANC has a banning order, prohibiting him from addressing the masses. We have a level 4 lockdown and a curfew of the 1980s. The only difference is we only use different levels, like contempt of court instead of detention without trial, but the substance is the same,” he said.
Jacob Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison by the Constitutional Court of South Africa.
This comes after Zuma was found guilty of contempt of court when he defied a court order issued by the Constitutional Court for him to appear before the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture.
His family has since vowed to defend him from going to prison.
Related Story
Former South African president Jacob Zuma granted appeal to jail sentence
Constitutional court agrees to hear challenge to 15-month prison-term, as Zuma rallies political support
Jacob Zuma, the former president of South Africa, appeared on Saturday to have won a reprieve from imminent imprisonment on contempt of court charges after the country’s most senior judges agreed to hear his challenge to a 15-month jail sentence awarded last week.
Police were ordered to arrest the 79-year-old by the supreme court if he did not surrender to authorities by Sunday after he failed to appear before a corruption inquiry earlier this year.
Zuma was ousted as president amid multiple graft scandals in 2018 after nine years in power and has consistently refused to cooperate with judges investigating wrongdoing during his rule.
In recent days, the veteran politician has sought to rally political support, particularly in his stronghold of KwaZulu-Natal province where he appeared briefly in public on Saturday, but his efforts to spark any broader protests at his impending arrest have so far failed.
A small crowd gathered outside Zuma’s homestead of Nkandla. Supporters included about two dozen women who said they had travelled more than 300km overnight from the neighbouring Eastern Cape province.
“We support Zuma and we want to know what is going to happen with him, which is why we are here,” 43-year-old Cecilia Nongce said, wearing a traditional Nguni blue-and-red blanket to ward off the cold.
“We love Nxamalala ,” she said in Zulu, referring to Zuma by his traditional clan name, adding that they hoped he would come out to speak to them.
A group of other supporters arrived in two mini-buses waving ANC flags and wearing white T-shirts with the inscription ‘wenzeni uZuma’, Zulu for “What has Zuma done?”
Analysts in South Africa were surprised by the supreme court’s decision to consider the former president’s challenge to its own decision.
“If Zuma goes to prison, we can say we have the rule of law in South Africa. If he doesn’t, then we don’t. There is no new evidence, so this means the system is being bent to fit the politics and people everywhere will be very disappointed by that,” said Ralph Mathekga, an author and political commentator.
In its judgment last week, the South African supreme court noted that the former president had “repeatedly reiterated that he would rather be imprisoned than to cooperate “with the corruption inquiry”.
Zuma then submitted a 30-page statement, accusing judges of “exasperation” and suggesting that the supreme court “reassess whether it has acted within the constitution”.
The statement also said that Zuma’s health would be at risk in prison because he would not be able to receive the care that he needs and might catch Covid-19.
The contempt of court charges related to Zuma’s consistent failure to appear at the corruption inquiry led by South Africa’s deputy chief justice, Raymond Zondo, in February.
Scores of witnesses have described what appears to have been widespread corruption and misadministration under Zuma’s rule, but the former president has testified only once, in July 2019, before staging a walkout days later. He denies all wrongdoing.
In February, Zondo said he would seek an order from the constitutional court to force Zuma to testify or go to prison because otherwise “the message … sent out is that people can ignore or disregard summons and orders of courts with impunity …[and] there will be very little that will be left of our democracy.”
Zuma has accused Zondo of being biased and saying that allegations against him were formulated by various actors involving overseas intelligence agencies.
Most of the alleged corruption under investigation by the commission involves three brothers from a wealthy Indian business family, the Guptas, who won lucrative government contracts and were allegedly even able to choose cabinet ministers.
South African media have been supportive of the Constitutional court.
“His diehard fans trumpet his contribution to ….the transition to a successful democracy. They are absolutely correct; Zuma was a patriot – and as a patriot he should submit himself to the laws and institutions of this country,” said the Independent online news website.
Mathekga said most South Africans wanted to see the rule of law upheld. “If the constitutional [supreme] court is dithering what does it say about our institutions?” he said.
Zuma’s successor as president, Cyril Ramaphosa, a labour activist turned wealthy tycoon, has taken steps to stamp out corruption. Ramaphosa took over as South Africa’s president after a bitter internal battle within the ANC and amid public outrage over allegations of mismanagement and systemic corruption.
Anger has been fuelled by a series of scandals involving huge sums corruptly earned on government contracts for emergency supplies to combat the Covid-19 pandemic and grants to support the most needy.
In the past few days, new Covid restrictions have been introduced in an attempt to stem a sharp rise in cases driven by the spread of the more transmissible Delta variant, weak countermeasures and public fatigue with existing restrictions.
Zuma is separately facing 16 charges of fraud, graft and racketeering relating to a 1999 arms deal, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
Related Story
Former South African president Jacob Zuma granted appeal to jail sentence
Constitutional court agrees to hear challenge to 15-month prison-term, as Zuma rallies political support
Jacob Zuma, the former president of South Africa, appeared on Saturday to have won a reprieve from imminent imprisonment on contempt of court charges after the country’s most senior judges agreed to hear his challenge to a 15-month jail sentence awarded last week.
Police were ordered to arrest the 79-year-old by the supreme court if he did not surrender to authorities by Sunday after he failed to appear before a corruption inquiry earlier this year.
Zuma was ousted as president amid multiple graft scandals in 2018 after nine years in power and has consistently refused to cooperate with judges investigating wrongdoing during his rule.
In recent days, the veteran politician has sought to rally political support, particularly in his stronghold of KwaZulu-Natal province where he appeared briefly in public on Saturday, but his efforts to spark any broader protests at his impending arrest have so far failed.
A small crowd gathered outside Zuma’s homestead of Nkandla. Supporters included about two dozen women who said they had travelled more than 300km overnight from the neighbouring Eastern Cape province.
“We support Zuma and we want to know what is going to happen with him, which is why we are here,” 43-year-old Cecilia Nongce said, wearing a traditional Nguni blue-and-red blanket to ward off the cold.
“We love Nxamalala ,” she said in Zulu, referring to Zuma by his traditional clan name, adding that they hoped he would come out to speak to them.
A group of other supporters arrived in two mini-buses waving ANC flags and wearing white T-shirts with the inscription ‘wenzeni uZuma’, Zulu for “What has Zuma done?”
Analysts in South Africa were surprised by the supreme court’s decision to consider the former president’s challenge to its own decision.
“If Zuma goes to prison, we can say we have the rule of law in South Africa. If he doesn’t, then we don’t. There is no new evidence, so this means the system is being bent to fit the politics and people everywhere will be very disappointed by that,” said Ralph Mathekga, an author and political commentator.
In its judgment last week, the South African supreme court noted that the former president had “repeatedly reiterated that he would rather be imprisoned than to cooperate “with the corruption inquiry”.
Zuma then submitted a 30-page statement, accusing judges of “exasperation” and suggesting that the supreme court “reassess whether it has acted within the constitution”.
The statement also said that Zuma’s health would be at risk in prison because he would not be able to receive the care that he needs and might catch Covid-19.
The contempt of court charges related to Zuma’s consistent failure to appear at the corruption inquiry led by South Africa’s deputy chief justice, Raymond Zondo, in February.
Scores of witnesses have described what appears to have been widespread corruption and misadministration under Zuma’s rule, but the former president has testified only once, in July 2019, before staging a walkout days later. He denies all wrongdoing.
In February, Zondo said he would seek an order from the constitutional court to force Zuma to testify or go to prison because otherwise “the message … sent out is that people can ignore or disregard summons and orders of courts with impunity …[and] there will be very little that will be left of our democracy.”
Zuma has accused Zondo of being biased and saying that allegations against him were formulated by various actors involving overseas intelligence agencies.
Most of the alleged corruption under investigation by the commission involves three brothers from a wealthy Indian business family, the Guptas, who won lucrative government contracts and were allegedly even able to choose cabinet ministers.
South African media have been supportive of the Constitutional court.
“His diehard fans trumpet his contribution to ….the transition to a successful democracy. They are absolutely correct; Zuma was a patriot – and as a patriot he should submit himself to the laws and institutions of this country,” said the Independent online news website.
Mathekga said most South Africans wanted to see the rule of law upheld. “If the constitutional [supreme] court is dithering what does it say about our institutions?” he said.
Zuma’s successor as president, Cyril Ramaphosa, a labour activist turned wealthy tycoon, has taken steps to stamp out corruption. Ramaphosa took over as South Africa’s president after a bitter internal battle within the ANC and amid public outrage over allegations of mismanagement and systemic corruption.
Anger has been fuelled by a series of scandals involving huge sums corruptly earned on government contracts for emergency supplies to combat the Covid-19 pandemic and grants to support the most needy.
In the past few days, new Covid restrictions have been introduced in an attempt to stem a sharp rise in cases driven by the spread of the more transmissible Delta variant, weak countermeasures and public fatigue with existing restrictions.
Zuma is separately facing 16 charges of fraud, graft and racketeering relating to a 1999 arms deal, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
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Cybersecurity Solutions Every Business Needs in 2026
Rising Cybersecurity Threats Facing Businesses
Cybersecurity threats continue growing at an alarming rate as businesses rely more heavily on digital systems and online operations. Cybercriminals target organizations of all sizes using ransomware attacks, phishing scams, malware infections, and data breaches.
Small businesses are especially vulnerable because many lack dedicated cybersecurity teams and advanced protection systems. A single cyberattack can lead to financial losses, operational disruptions, legal liabilities, and reputational damage.
As technology evolves, businesses must adopt stronger cybersecurity strategies to protect customer information, financial data, and internal systems effectively.
Essential Cybersecurity Solutions
Modern businesses require multiple layers of protection to reduce cyber risks. Endpoint security software helps protect computers, mobile devices, and servers from malware and unauthorized access.
Multi-factor authentication adds an additional security layer by requiring users to verify identities through multiple methods before accessing systems. This significantly reduces the risk of compromised passwords leading to breaches.
Network monitoring systems and firewalls also help detect suspicious activity early and block unauthorized traffic before attacks escalate.
Employee Training and Risk Awareness
Human error remains one of the leading causes of cybersecurity incidents. Employees who unknowingly click phishing emails or use weak passwords can expose businesses to serious risks.
Regular cybersecurity awareness training helps employees identify scams, suspicious links, and social engineering tactics. Strong internal security policies and routine testing further improve organizational protection.
Cybersecurity should become part of company culture rather than simply an IT responsibility.
Final Thoughts
Cybersecurity solutions are now essential business investments rather than optional technology upgrades. Companies that prioritize strong security systems, employee education, and proactive risk management reduce the likelihood of costly cyber incidents.
As digital threats continue evolving, businesses that remain prepared and adaptable will protect their operations, customers, and long-term growth more effectively.
Consumer Class Action Lawsuit: When Companies Can Be Sued
consumer class action lawsuit, consumer protection lawyer, false advertising lawsuit, hidden fees lawsuit, unfair business practices lawsuit, consumer rights attorney
Consumer Class Action Lawsuit: When Companies Can Be Sued
Consumers deal with companies every day. We buy products, subscribe to services, use apps, open accounts, finance purchases, and share personal information.
Most companies follow the law. Some do not.
A consumer class action lawsuit may happen when many customers are harmed by the same unfair, deceptive, or illegal business practice.
These cases can help consumers seek refunds, compensation, policy changes, or other relief.
What Is a Consumer Class Action?
A consumer class action is a lawsuit brought on behalf of a group of consumers with similar claims against a company.
The case may involve:
False advertising
Hidden fees
Subscription traps
Defective products
Improper billing
Privacy violations
Data breaches
Misleading pricing
Credit reporting errors
Unauthorized charges
Warranty problems
Failure to refund
The FTC enforces consumer protection laws and works to stop illegal business practices and return money to harmed consumers where possible.
Common Examples of Consumer Class Actions
Hidden Fees
A company may advertise one price but charge extra fees later.
Examples may include:
Service fees
Processing fees
Delivery fees
Convenience fees
Membership fees
Automatic renewal fees
False Advertising
A product may be marketed with claims that are misleading or unsupported.
Examples may include:
Health claims
Performance claims
“Free” trial offers
Environmental claims
Savings claims
Product origin claims
Subscription Cancellation Problems
Some lawsuits involve companies that allegedly make it easy to sign up but difficult to cancel.
This issue has attracted major regulatory attention in recent years. Recent FTC refund programs have involved claims connected to deceptive billing, cancellation, or subscription practices.
Defective Products
Consumers may sue if a product has a common defect that affects many buyers.
Examples may include:
Vehicle defects
Appliance defects
Electronic device problems
Safety hazards
Battery failures
Product contamination
Data Breaches
If a company fails to protect personal information, affected users may bring claims depending on the facts and applicable law.
What Must Be Proven?
A consumer class action usually needs more than customer frustration.
The case may need evidence showing:
The company made a false or misleading statement
Consumers relied on the statement
The company charged improper fees
The product had a common defect
The company violated a consumer protection law
Many people were harmed in a similar way
Damages can be measured
Every case depends on the facts and the law.
What Evidence Helps?
Useful evidence may include:
Receipts
Screenshots
Emails
Contracts
Terms of service
Advertisements
Product packaging
Photos
Bank statements
Customer service messages
Repair records
Cancellation attempts
Data breach notices
If you think you may have a claim, preserve documents.
What Can Consumers Receive?
A consumer class action settlement may provide:
Cash payments
Refunds
Account credits
Free repairs
Replacement products
Extended warranties
Identity theft monitoring
Debt forgiveness
Business practice changes
Not every class member receives the same amount. Payments may depend on documentation, number of valid claims, settlement size, and court approval.
Do Consumer Class Actions Always Go to Trial?
No. Many settle before trial.
A settlement does not always mean the company admits wrongdoing. Often, companies settle to avoid cost, risk, and uncertainty.
The court usually reviews class action settlements for fairness before final approval.
Arbitration Clauses and Class Action Waivers
Some companies include arbitration clauses and class action waivers in contracts. These can affect whether consumers may sue in court or join a class action.
The CFPB has explained that arbitration clauses can block consumers from bringing or joining group lawsuits, also known as class actions. However, a 2017 CFPB arbitration rule was later removed and has no force or effect.
That means consumers should review their contracts and speak with an attorney if arbitration is an issue.
Final Thoughts
A consumer class action lawsuit may be available when a company’s conduct harms many people in a similar way.
If you were charged unfair fees, misled by advertising, denied a refund, affected by a defective product, or harmed by a privacy issue, keep your records and speak with a qualified class action attorney.
Consumer rights are strongest when evidence is clear and action is timely.
