Let’s take cue from South Africa and jail thieving politicians

Former South African President Jacob Zuma sits in the dock after recess in his corruption trial in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, May 26, 2021. [Reuters, Phill Magakoe]

Still from the down South, former President Jacob Zuma of South Africa is facing arrest this weekend, following his conviction for contempt of court. The former president was sentenced to serve 15 months jail-time for failing to appear for questioning in proceedings relating to “State capture” inquiry.

The case relates to the claim that during his presidency, Zuma gave the Gupta brothers, who have had a firm grip on the nation’s business and political networks, a free hand to even pick the Cabinet for him.

Zuma was reported to be in “high spirits” and “bouncing like a tennis ball,” according to social media posts by his daughter, while a trickle of loyalists arrived at his home in KwaZulu-Natal, apparently to fend off any attempts to arrest him.

Zuma is facing 16 separate charges of graft, racketeering over his long sojourn in politics, accounting for some $5 million (about Sh540 million).

It would be a good thing to jail Zuma, said the renowned anti-apartheid campaigner and Nobel winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu, hailing the court’s ruling as a “pivotal moment in our history.”

Kenyans are still waiting for the day when the kleptocrats who have impoverished our country will be brought to book. Since devolving corruption to the counties, it would be nice to jail one or two thieving governors before the next General Election.