Former South African president Jacob Zuma says the democratic government harasses him more than the apartheid government did. Zuma spent 10 years on Robben Island for opposing the apartheid regime.

Zuma was speaking at a press briefing at his Nkandla homestead, explaining why he refuses to hand himself over to police. He was flanked at the briefing by his advocate, Dali Mpofu, and his daughter Dudizile.

Zuma was on 28 June sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt of court, for refusing to testify at the State Capture Commission, which is investigating systematic corruption in South Africa's government. Zuma was due to hand himself over to police today, failing which police were effect the warrant of arrest.

Instead Dali Mpofu and Zuma's legal team petitioned the courts to hear Zuma's case as a matter of urgency. The matter will be heard in the Constitutional Court on 12 July.