Former South African President Jacob Zuma might face jail time after being absent at the judicial inquiry.

Zuma did not appear on Monday at the judicial panel probing charges of corruption. 

Zuma has been accused of allowing several members of the Gupta Family, a powerful business family in South Africa, to influence policies and grant them state contracts.

Zuma was forced to resign in 2018 after the allegations of corruption and abuse of authority, after 9 years in office.

He has denied any wrongdoing. He has walked out of the proceedings almost throughout except once when he testified in July 2019.

The 78-years old can be jailed for being found in contempt of the court for his latest absence. 

In a recent turn of events,  Zuma's lawyers sent a letter to the judicial inquiry saying Zuma's summons is "irregular." They further said that Zuma would not attend proceedings between Monday and Friday.

In January, the Constitutional Court ruled that the former President has the right to remain silent but is obliged to appear before the panel.

The leader of the inquiry commission, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has said the commission will ask the Constitutional court if he can be imprisoned for contempt of the Court.