Zuma loses bid for stay of arrest

Jailed former South African president Jacob Zuma has lost his bid to have his arrest set aside.

His application at the Pietermaritzburg High Court was dismissed with all costs by Judge Bhekisisa Mnguni.

In his judgement, Judge Mnguni says; “It is common cause that in this country there is no higher authority than the Constitutional Court, and that its decisions cannot be undermined by a lower court.”

Mnguni added that granting Zuma an interdict blocking his arrest and detention “would be harmful to the rule of law and our Constitution.”

Zuma had sought the stay, pending a Constitutional Court hearing of is rescission of judgement against him on contempt of court charges, for which he is serving a 15-month jail term.

Legal experts are split over whether that application will succeed.

Subscribe to Blog via Email