South Africa's constitutional court on Tuesday ruled that former President Jacob Zuma was in contempt of court for failing to appear at a corruption inquiry earlier this year, and it ordered that he be imprisoned for 15 months. 

Zuma failed to appear at the inquiry led by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo in February. 

The inquiry is examining allegations of high-level graft during Zuma's period in power from 2009 to 2018. Zuma denies wrongdoing and has so far not cooperated.

"This kind of recalcitrance and defiance is unlawful and will be punished," Judge Sisi Khampepe said. 

"I am left with no option but to commit Mr Zuma to imprisonment, with the hope that doing so sends an unequivocal message ... the rule of law and the administration of justice prevails." 

"The majority judgement orders an unsuspended sentence of imprisonment for a period (of 15 months)," she declared, ordering Zuma to hand himself over within five days. 

Zuma has to appear before police within five days, the judge added. 

A spokesman for Zuma told eNCA television that the former president would issue a statement later, without elaborating.

The commission of inquiry is headed by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. The panel was set up by Zuma himself, under pressure over mounting scandals, shortly before he was ousted in 2018 by the ruling African National Congress (ANC). 

(With input from agencies)

(Cover: Former South African President Jacob Zuma addresses supporters in Johannesburg, South Africa, July 19, 2019. /Reuters)