Following news of former President Jacob Zuma’s sentencing to 15 months in prison, handed out by the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) for being in contempt of court,  Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen said it was the most important ConCourt judgment in the history of South Africa’s democracy.

The DA leader said the judgment confirmed that no one could stand above the law in South Africa.

The ConCourt ruled on Tuesday that Zuma was in contempt of court when he defied an order to appear at the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture.

“Mr Zuma - who has steadfastly dodged his day in court for well over a decade while claiming all the while that his day in court is all he wanted - has finally run out of runway,” said Steenhuisen, adding that the judgment was a major day for his party.

Former DA leader Mmusi Maimane’s One South Africa Movement said it took the judiciary system to do what neither the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) or the ruling African National Congress (ANC) could get right.

The organisation said Zuma’s sentencing was a seminal moment in ensuring that justice is served and the rule of law is upheld.

The organisation said it will approach the NPA to fast-track finalising prosecution for the more than 700 counts of fraud, corruption and racketeering that Zuma still faces.

Meanwhile, the Defend Our Democracy Campaign said the ConCourt ruling is an important vindication of the Constitution’s authority and the independence of South Africa’s rule of law.

“This moment demands that the struggle for constitutional democracy be honoured,” it said.

United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa welcome the judgment and said it was a strong message that no one is above the law.

He added that the judgment was also a stern warning that all South Africans should respect the courts and the laws of the country.