Zuma was facing an inquiry probing wide-ranging allegations of corruption during his tenure from 2009 to 2018. The Constitutional Court ruled that Zuma defied an order by the country’s highest court by refusing to cooperate with the commission of inquiry, chaired by deputy judge Raymond Zondo.
"Mr Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma is sentenced to undergo 15 months' imprisonment," a constitutional court judge said, reading out the court's order.
South Africa's apex court has ordered Zuma, who wasn't present in court for the ruling, handy himself over within five days to a police headquarters in Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal province, his hometown, or in Johannesburg.
For the primary time in South African history, a former president has been sentenced to a jail term.
Among several allegations, Zuma is accused of allowing three businessmen brothers -Atul, Ajay and Rajesh Gupta- to plunder state resources and influence policy. The Guptas have denied any wrongdoing but left South Africa after Zuma’s ouster, which was orchestrated by the allies of his successor, President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Zuma had sent a 21-page letter to the country's judge during which he claimed to possess been treated unfairly. Commenting on the letter, the judge said that the previous president attempts to "evoke public sympathy through unfounded allegations fly within the face of reason."
"If his conduct is met with impunity, he will do significant damage to the rule of law," she added.
