From warrant of arrest to return from overseas - six must-read stories on Jacob Zuma

Former president Jacob Zuma is back from abroad after receiving medical treatment.

He was slapped with a stayed warrant of arrest by the Pietermaritzburg High Court after his legal representatives applied for his absence from the hearings three weeks ago.

Here are six must-read stories about Zuma:

'Not afraid of jail'

Addressing his supporters at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Saturday, Zuma said, contrary to popular opinion, he was not scared of jail and was not using his sickness to escape court appearances.

He said he was receiving medical treatment in Cuba for an undisclosed illness.

“My days are coming. I will go to court. I have never been scared of jail. When they want me in court, I go. Even when the boers were in charge, I went there and they sentenced me to 10 years.”

Supporters will stand by Zuma 

Zuma supporters, including Supra Mahumapelo, Free State premier Sam Mashinini, former minister Des Van Rooyen and Kebby Maphatsoe expressed their support for the former president and weighed in on the warrant of arrest.

Mahumapelo said the warrant was “mischievous” and was intended to “stir emotions” among Zuma's supporters.

ANC MP Mervyn Dirks also maintained his support for Zuma, saying he is being persecuted and has “been haunted for 18 years”. 

Too sick for Sona 

All eyes were on Zuma after parliament errenously announced he would be in attendance of the state of the nation address (Sona) before his legal representatives denied this, saying the former president was abroad receiving medical treatment.

“Our instructions remain that president Zuma is currently receiving medical treatment in a foreign country and will therefore not be attending Sona.”

Zuma defence force 

Umkhonto We Sizwe Military Veterans' Association member Carl Niehaus  accused the ANC of vilifying Zuma, and lambasted the National Prosecuting Authority for playing politics by issuing the former president with a warrant of arrest.

Niehaus and the KwaZulu-Natal ANC Youth League (ANCYL) said they would mobilise the masses and protest in support of the former president. Niehaus said Zuma was a hero who fought for the liberation of black South Africans, and history would always have him as such despite attempts to erase his contribution.

Warrant of arrest 

Pietermaritzburg judge Dhaya Pillay issued a warrant of arrest for Zuma after he failed to show up for his court appearance relating to the arms deal charges. Pillay refused to accept a sick note presented to the court by Zuma's lawyer, Daniel Mantsha, on grounds that it had inconsistencies.

The ANC came out in defence of Zuma, saying he was a law-abiding citizen who has consistently respected the judicial system over the years.

ANCYL opposes warrant of arrest 

Shortly after Pillay issued a warrant of arrest for Zuma, the KwaZulu-Natal ANCYL issued a statement condemning the court's decision.

Its secretary-general, Thanduxolo Sabelo, said the warrant was a clear indication that Zuma would not get a fair trial.

Calling Zuma a hero, Sabelo said: “The ANCYL will now embark on mobilising support for president Zuma. We will also mobilise society to stand up and defend president Zuma against the unwarranted attack on our hero.”