The former President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma is in police custody after he handed himself to serve a 15-month imprisonment term for contempt of court.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) issued a statement just after Wednesday midnight, confirming that they had Zuma in custody.

Zuma handed himself over to police just before midnight on Wednesday, a few hours after ambulances were turned away from entering the Nkandla homestead by his son, Edward, and a small crowd that had gathered in support of the former president.

The former president was found guilty of contempt of court last week and sentenced to 15 months in jail.

The matter relates to his defiance of an order by the apex court to appear before the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture.

Shortly after the ruling, thousands of supporters and some ANC party leaders including Lindiwe Sisulu, suspended ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule and KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala, among others, gathered at his homestead.

Amabutho also marched in solidarity with Zuma and flanked the former president on Saturday when he came out to address his supporters.

SABC News