Supporters of former South African president Jacob Zuma seem not to be backing down, as they continue their solidarity with Zuma.
Hundreds of them, including some who traveled more than 400 kilometers, gathered outside Zuma’s rural home in the KwaZulu-Natal province, and vowed to prevent attempts to arrest him.
The 79-year old told hundreds of his supporters that he was appealing a prison sentence and demanded justice.
Last week, South Africa’s top court slapped a 15-month jail term on the former president for defying a court order to testify before a graft commission.
Zuma says he is not asking for sympathy, but justice because his age and health condition were not considered when the imprisonment was decided.
Top officials of the ANC party have gone to KwaZulu-Natal to try to reduce tensions and to encourage Zuma to comply with the court orders and avoid any violent confrontations.
Zuma has launched several court actions to avoid imprisonment. On Friday, he filed an application with the Constitutional Court to rescind his sentence, which the court will hear on July 12.
Zuma will also apply for an interdict to stop the police from arresting him.
