Jacob Zuma is being investigated for a series of allegations of corruption during his time as President of South Africa from 2009 to 2018. Since the investigations began, the 79-year-old Zuma has avoided meeting the commission that investigates him.
On Tuesday, therefore, the former president was sentenced to 15 months in prison for court defiance.
He now has five days to surrender to the judiciary.
Zuma himself has consistently denied any wrongdoing, claiming he is the victim of a gigantic political conspiracy.
Still facing 18 charges
But the former president's refusal to appear before the commission can not be seen as anything other than court defiance, according to Judge Sisi Khampepe.
"I have no choice but to sentence Mr Zuma to prison, hoping to send a clear message ... the rule of law and the rule of law prevail," Khampepe was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.
In the legal process that is still ongoing, 79-year-old Zuma faces 18 charges.
These are over 700 cases of corruption, money laundering and extortion in connection with major arms deals during the 1990s.