By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
With 12 minutes to go before midnight, Jacob Zuma’s Foundation confirms that he has handed himself over to police and is being taken to a correctional services facility.
The foundation said a full statement will be issued in due course.
Dear South Africans and the World.
Please be advised that President Zuma has decided to comply with the incarceration order.
He is on his way to hand himself into a Correctional Services Facility in KZN.
A full statement will be issued in due course.#WenzenuZuma— JGZuma Foundation (Official) (@JGZ_Foundation) July 7, 2021
A presidential motorcade was seen leaving Nkandla heading towards Kranskop, it’s unclear whether former president Jacob Zuma was inside one of the cars that exited his homestead.
The vehicles were identified as the presidential motorcade but it was not confirmed whether Zuma was being taken anywhere, including to a police station to hand himself over for arrest.
Supporters massed at Nkandla were reportedly “dejected” at the news.
Cdes, we celebrate the imprisonment of the Freedom Fighter @PresJGZuma
Cdes, we celebrate the incarceration of the only man who remained loyal to @MYANC. Cdes, no retreat, no surrender in fighting WMC and their proxy’s in our Leadership. Amandla ✊?✊?✊?!!! pic.twitter.com/SUgNzPmWEf— Dudu Zuma-Sambudla (@DZumaSambudla) July 7, 2021
Earlier a Daymed ambulance that initially failed in gaining access to the Nkandla homestead at about 10.30pm by the singing crowd led by former president Jacob Zuma’s son Edward Zuma was admitted closer to 11pm, as they suspected the vehicle may have been part of a ruse to arrest Zuma.
Reportedly it was there to help an elderly lady in need of medical attention.
As the deadline loomed, Edward, who was brandishing a stick, instructed the handful of supporters gathered at the homestead to move vehicles and park them in such a way that they were partially blocking the entrance to the home.
Edward was leading the supporters at the homestead as the clock ticked towards the midnight deadline for police to arrest Zuma after his conviction for contempt of court last week.
He said that he had been told police were on their way from nearby Eshowe. However, he said that while the SAPS convoy might not be stopped en route, it would be stopped at the gate and not be allowed entry.
Earlier in the day Edward vowed that there would be bloodshed if his father was arrested.
[JUST IN] The Police Ministry can confirm that former President of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma was placed in @SAPoliceService custody as in compliance with the @ConCourtSA judgement.
— Lirandzu Themba (@LirandzuThemba) July 7, 2021
The Police Ministry have confirmed that former President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma was placed in custody as in compliance with the Constitutional Court judgement..
This is a developing story.