Illness not an excuse to run from law – Zuma

Former President Jacob Zuma returned to SA at the weekend to tell supporters he was not using his illness to run from the law and if sent to jail, he will serve his time. Addressing hundreds of supporters at OR Tambo International Airport on Saturday, following his recent trip to Cuba for medical treatment, he said he had problems with his eyes, but was not blind. A News24 report notes that while the nature of Zuma's illness has not been disclosed, he has been in and out of hospital for several months and has failed to attend court for his corruption case. Among those in attendance at the airports were long-time Zuma supporters, including Ekurhuleni Mayor Mzwandile Masina, ANC Free State chairperson Sam Mashinini, and ANC members of Parliament Supra Mahumapelo, Mosebenzi Zwane and Joe Maswanganyi. ‘I've never been afraid of jail. If I am required to go, I will go. Even under the apartheid regime, I went to jail. The Boers, they charged me and I was arrested for 10 years and came out fresh,’ Zuma said. ‘Even if our ANC government finds me guilty, I will go to jail, serve my time and come out again,’ he added. Zuma said he had decided to prioritise his health and was consulting doctors about it. He said he was in contact with the KZN High Court (Pietermaritzburg) about his sick note, which had led to a warrant for his arrest being issued and stayed pending his next appearance on 6 May. ‘I am still meeting with the courts. They still doubt whether I am sick or not,’ he is quoted as saying.

Full Fin24 report