Parexel Adquirida por EQT Private Equity e Goldman Sachs Asset Management

BOSTON e DURHAM, N.C., July 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A Parexel, principal organização global de pesquisa clínica (clinical research organization – CRO) focada no desenvolvimento e entrega de novas terapias inovadoras voltadas para a saúde do paciente, anunciou hoje a assinatura de um contrato de fusão definitivo da sua aquisição pelo fundo EQT IX (“EQT Private Equity”) e pela Private Equity na Goldman Sachs Asset Management (“Goldman Sachs”) da Pamplona Capital Management LP por US$8,5 bilhões.

“Nos últimos 18 meses, a Parexel deu continuidade à sua forte trajetória de crescimento focada nos pacientes e acelerando o lançamento de novas terapias para pacientes precisam delas em todo o mundo”, disse o CEO da Parexel, Jamie Macdonald. “Com a ampliação do mercado de serviços de pesquisa clínica terceirizados prevista para aumentar em um CAGR conservador de 8 a 9 por cento, nosso foco continua sendo avançar e inovar a Parexel para atender às necessidades dos nossos clientes em todo o cenário de desenvolvimento clínico em evolução. A EQT e a Goldman Sachs apoiam essa visão e estão comprometidas em investir na Parexel e no nosso pessoal para capitalizar essa empolgante oportunidade de mercado e fazer a diferença para os pacientes.”

Eric Liu, Sócio e Co dirigente Global de Saúde da EQT, comentou: “Acompanhamos a Parexel de perto durante os últimos anos e ficamos impressionados com o desenvolvimento e a trajetória da empresa. Nosso investimento na Parexel é um exemplo do foco temático da EQT na indústria das ciências da vida, bem como do nosso compromisso de parceria com empresas que tenham impacto positivo na sociedade. Estamos entusiasmados em fazer uma parceria com a Goldman Sachs para a próxima etapa da jornada da Parexel, e em apoiar Jamie, que antes de pertencer à Parexel foi consultor sênior durante muito tempo na EQT, bem como de toda a equipe da Parexel.”

Jo Natauri, Sócia e Dirigente Global de Investimento Privado em Saúde da Goldman Sachs Asset Management, comentou: “Estamos entusiasmados em fazer uma parceria com Jamie Macdonald, com toda a equipe de gestão da Parexel e com a EQT para apoiar a Parexel, que tem um histórico distinto de oferta de excelência clínica para seus grandes clientes farmacêuticos e de biotecnologia em todo o mundo. Acreditamos que esse investimento venha a acelerar o crescimento da Parexel com a ampliação da presença global da empresa, sua forte capacidade operacional e ampla rede de serviços de saúde.”

John Halsted, sócio-gerente da Pamplona Capital Management, comentou: “Estamos muito orgulhosos do progresso da Parexel nos últimos quatro anos e do importante trabalho que eles estão fazendo para o lançamento de novas terapias emocionantes para os pacientes que precisam delas. Em particular, a empresa adaptou brilhantemente o seu trabalho em meio à pandemia global e apoiou o desenvolvimento de terapias de combate à pandemia da COVID-19. Desejamos a ela todo o sucesso na sua próxima fase de crescimento.”

“Estamos muito contentes com a nossa parceria com a Pamplona e agradecemos a liderança e o apoio que recebemos deles que ajudou a transformar a Parexel durante a nossa parceria”, concluiu o Sr. Macdonald. “Nos últimos meses a nossa capacidade de mudar e nos adaptar tem promovido novas formas de trabalho, enquanto desenvolvemos um forte histórico de qualidade e entrega para clientes em todo o mundo. Nesta nova era de desenvolvimento clínico e foco agressivo no atendimento das necessidades de inovação dos nossos clientes em áreas como Evidências do Mundo Real, Ensaios Clínicos Descentralizados, Bioestatística e Gestão de Dados — nas principais regiões como Ásia/Pacífico, onde estamos entre os maiores e mais antigos CROs — estamos empolgados em fazer uma parceria com a EQT e a Goldman Sachs. Estamos prontos para aproveitar a forte experiência deles na indústria e para avançar ainda mais a Parexel como uma das principais e mais crescentes CROs do mundo.”

A transação está sujeita às condições habituais, incluindo o recebimento das aprovações regulatórias aplicáveis. A Evercore atuou como consultora financeira da Parexel, e a Kirkland & Ellis LLP forneceu consultoria jurídica em conexão com a transação. Goldman Sachs e Jefferies LLC atuaram como consultores financeiros da EQT Private Equity e da Goldman Sachs Asset Management, e a Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP forneceu consultoria jurídica em conexão com a transação.

Sobre a Parexel
A Parexel apoia o desenvolvimento de novos medicamentos inovadores para melhorar a saúde dos pacientes. Oferecemos serviços que ajudam clientes de ciências da vida e biofarmacêuticos de todos os lugares a transformar descobertas científicas em novos tratamentos. Desde os ensaios clínicos descentralizados até os serviços de consultoria regulatória que aproveitam os insights do mundo real, a nossa capacidade terapêutica, técnica e funcional é sustentada por uma profunda convicção no que fazemos. A Parexel foi escolhida “Melhor Organização de Pesquisa Contratual” em dezembro de 2020 por um painel independente da Informa Pharma Intelligence. Para mais informação, visite parexel.com, siga-nos no LinkedInTwitter e Instagram.

Sobre a EQT
A EQT é uma organização de investimento global orientada por objetivos, com mais de EUR$67 bilhões em ativos sob gestão em 26 fundos ativos. Os fundos da EQT têm empresas de portfólio na Europa, Ásia-Pacífico e Américas, e vendas totais de aproximadamente EUR$29 bilhões e mais de 175.000 funcionários. A EQT trabalha com empresas de portfólio para alcançar crescimento sustentável, excelência operacional e liderança de mercado. Para mais informação, visite www.eqtgroup.com ou siga a EQT no LinkedInTwitterYouTube e Instagram.

Sobre o Goldman Sachs Asset Management Private Equity
Reunindo investimentos tradicionais e alternativos, o Goldman Sachs Asset Management oferece aos clientes em todo o mundo uma parceria dedicada e foco no desempenho de longo prazo. Como a principal área de investimento da Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS), prestamos serviços de investimento e consultoria para as principais instituições, consultores financeiros e pessoas físicas em todo o mundo, com base na nossa rede global profundamente conectada e insights especializados personalizados, em todas as regiões e mercados – supervisionando mais de US$2 trilhões em ativos sob supervisão em todo o mundo em 31 de março de 2021. Impulsionados por uma paixão pelo desempenho dos nossos clientes, criamos relacionamentos de longo prazo com base na convicção, resultados sustentáveis e sucesso compartilhado ao longo do tempo. A Goldman Sachs Asset Management investe em todo o espectro de alternativas, incluindo capital privado, capital de crescimento, crédito privado, imóveis e infraestrutura. Fundada em 1986, a divisão de Private Equity da Goldman Sachs Asset Management já investiu mais de US$75 bilhões desde o início. Combinamos nossa rede global de relacionamentos, nosso insight exclusivo em mercados, setores e regiões e os recursos mundiais da Goldman Sachs para criar negócios e acelerar a criação de valor dos nossos portfólios. Siga-nos no LinkedIn.

Sobre a Pamplona Capital Management
A Pamplona Capital Management é uma gestora especializada em investimentos fundada em 2005 que fornece uma plataforma alternativa de investimento em participações privadas e outras estratégias diversificadas. Com escritórios em Nova York, Londres, Madri e Malta, a Pamplona administra mais de US$11 bilhões em ativos de vários tipos de clientes, incluindo fundos de pensão públicos, administradores de bens internacionais, corporações multinacionais, escritórios familiares e hedge funds. A Pamplona investe capital de longo prazo em toda a estrutura de capital das suas empresas de portfólio em situações de mercado público e privado.

CONTATOS

Da Parexel:
Lori Dorer
Vice-Presidente Sênior, Comunicações Corporativas
+1 513 496 8121

Lindsay LeCain
Real Chemistry
+ 1 508 259 9521

Da EQT:
Daniel Yunger, Kekst CNC, + 1 917 574 8582
Escritório de Imprensa da EQT, press@eqtpartners.com, +46 8 506 55 334

Da Goldman Sachs:
Leslie Shribman
+1 212 902 5400

Da Pamplona Capital Management:
Ed Orlebar, TB Cardew
ed.orlebar@tbcardew.com
+44 (0)7738724630

Digimarc Welcomes Digital Transformation Leader Ravi Kumar to its Board of Directors

BEAVERTON, Ore., July 7, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Digimarc Corporation (NASDAQ: DMRC), creator of Digimarc watermarks that are driving the next generation of digital identification and detection, announced today that Ravi Kumar, a globally-renowned thought leader and executive, has been elected to its Board of Directors, effective June 28, 2021. His appointment complements and extends the Board’s current expertise in global enterprise digital disruption, ecosystem building through global alliances and partnerships and Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning and related data and analytics, among other areas, and supports Digimarc’s strategic focus on helping businesses embrace digital transformation to deliver more value to their customers.

Ravi Kumar

Kumar is President at Infosys, a leading global IT consulting and services company, where he leads the Global Services Organization across all industry segments. He drives digital transformation, consulting, traditional technology and engineering services, along with the data and analytics, cloud and infrastructure, and enterprise package application service lines. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Infosys Business Process Management (BPM). Kumar also oversees Infosys Public Services and the consulting services subsidiary of Infosys. He chairs the Boards of the digital companies Kaleidoscope, Guidevision, Wongdoody and Simplus that Infosys has acquired. He also oversees Infosys business in Latin America, Japan and China.

He is on the Board of Governors of the New York Academy of Sciences and the Board of AdvanceCT-Economic Dev Board of the State of Connecticut.

“I’m excited to join the Board of Digimarc and contribute to the company’s success driving digital transformation and modernization for its customers,” said Kumar. “Digimarc is well-positioned to help businesses reimagine and reinvent themselves by providing solutions that allow them to accelerate progress in critical areas, such as improving sustainability practices and protecting consumer health and safety.”

Digimarc The Barcode of Everything(TM)

“Ravi is a respected thought leader in the technology transformation space, and he brings unparalleled expertise to the Board.  He will undoubtedly be a true inspiration to all Digimarc stakeholders,” said Riley McCormack, President & CEO, Digimarc. “His philosophy that ‘technology is transforming the world,’ combined with his first-hand experience helping top companies manage digital disruption will be an invaluable asset on the Board.  We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome him to the Team.”

Kumar is a global authority on the Future of Work, Workplaces and Workforce, and is regularly invited by business and popular media to speak on these topics.

About Digimarc
Digimarc Corporation (NASDAQ: DMRC) is a pioneer and leader in digital watermarking solutions and the automatic identification of media, including packaging, commercial print, digital images, audio and video. Digimarc helps customers drive efficiency, accuracy and security across physical and digital supply chains. Visit digimarc.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @digimarc to learn more.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1556903/DIGIMARC___Ravi_Kumar.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/461519/digimarc_logo.jpg

Parexel s’apprête à être acquise par EQT Private Equity et Goldman Sachs Asset Management

BOSTON et DURHAM, Caroline du Nord, 06 juill. 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Parexel, une organisation de recherche clinique (CRO) de premier plan à l’échelle mondiale axée sur le développement et la fourniture de nouveaux traitements innovants pour faire progresser la santé des patients, a annoncé aujourd’hui l’exécution d’un accord de fusion définitif en vertu duquel elle sera acquise par le fonds EQT IX (« EQT Private Equity ») et l’entreprise de capital-investissement de Goldman Sachs Asset Management (« Goldman Sachs ») auprès de Pamplona Capital Management LP pour la somme de 8,5 milliards de dollars.

« Au cours des 18 derniers mois, Parexel a poursuivi sa solide trajectoire de croissance en mettant ses patients au premier plan et en accélérant la création de nouveaux traitements pour les patients dans le besoin à travers le monde », a déclaré Jamie Macdonald, PDG de Parexel. « Avec le marché des services de recherche clinique externalisés qui devrait se développer à un CAGR prudent de 8 à 9 %, notre objectif demeure de faire progresser et innover Parexel afin de répondre aux besoins de nos clients dans l’ensemble du paysage en constante évolution du développement clinique. EQT et Goldman Sachs soutiennent cette vision et sont déterminées à investir dans Parexel et nos employés pour capitaliser sur cette opportunité de marché palpitante et faire une différence pour les patients. »

Eric Liu, associé et co-directeur mondial des soins de santé chez EQT, a commenté : « Nous avons suivi Parexel de près au cours des dernières années et avons été impressionnés par le développement et la trajectoire de la société. Notre investissement dans Parexel reflète l’accent mis par EQT sur le secteur des sciences de la vie, ainsi que notre engagement à collaborer avec des entreprises qui ont un impact positif sur la société. Nous sommes ravis de nous associer à Goldman Sachs pour la prochaine étape du voyage de Parexel, et de soutenir Jamie, qui avant son poste chez Parexel était conseiller principal de longue date chez EQT, ainsi que le reste de l’équipe de Parexel. »

Jo Natauri, associée et directrice mondiale des investissements dans les soins de santé privés au sein de Goldman Sachs Asset Management, a commenté : « Nous sommes ravis de travailler en partenariat avec Jamie Macdonald, l’ensemble de l’équipe de direction de Parexel et EQT pour soutenir Parexel, qui possède une solide expérience dans la fourniture d’excellence clinique à ses grands clients pharmaceutiques et biotechnologiques dans le monde entier. Nous sommes convaincus que cet investissement accélèrera la croissance de Parexel en s’appuyant sur l’empreinte mondiale de la société, ses solides capacités opérationnelles et son vaste réseau de soins de santé. »

John Halsted, associé directeur de Pamplona Capital Management, a commenté : « Nous sommes très fiers des progrès de Parexel au cours des quatre dernières années et du travail important qu’ils accomplissent pour aider à apporter de nouveaux traitements palpitants aux patients dans le besoin. En particulier, ils ont réussi à adapter l’entreprise pour travailler au cours d’une pandémie mondiale, et ont soutenu le développement de traitements pour lutter contre la pandémie de COVID-19 elle-même. Nous leur souhaitons plein succès dans leur prochaine phase de croissance. »

« Nous avons apprécié notre partenariat avec Pamplona, et nous les remercions de leur leadership et de leur soutien pour aider à transformer Parexel sous leur contrôle », a conclu M. Macdonald. « Au cours des derniers mois, notre capacité à pivoter et à nous adapter a favorisé de nouvelles façons de travailler tout en développant un solide historique de qualité et de réalisation pour les clients du monde entier. Alors que nous continuons à évoluer dans cette nouvelle ère du développement clinique en nous focalisant de manière dynamique sur la satisfaction des besoins d’innovation de nos clients dans des domaines tels que les preuves du monde réel, les essais cliniques décentralisés, les biostatistiques et la gestion des données, et dans des régions clés comme l’Asie/Pacifique où nous sommes parmi les CRO les plus importantes et les plus anciennes, nous sommes ravis de travailler en partenariat avec EQT et Goldman Sachs. Nous sommes impatients de tirer parti de leur solide expérience sectorielle et d’accélérer encore davantage l’évolution de Parexel en tant que l’une des CRO les plus importantes et à la croissance la plus rapide au monde. »

La transaction est soumise aux conditions habituelles, y compris la réception des approbations réglementaires applicables. Evercore a joué le rôle de conseiller financier de Parexel, et Kirkland & Ellis LLP a fourni des conseils juridiques en lien avec la transaction. Goldman Sachs et Jefferies LLC ont joué le rôle de conseillers financiers pour EQT Private Equity et Goldman Sachs Asset Management, et Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP a fourni des conseils juridiques en lien avec la transaction.

À propos de Parexel
Parexel soutient le développement de nouveaux médicaments innovants pour améliorer la santé des patients. Nous fournissons des services pour aider les clients biopharmaceutiques et des sciences de la vie partout dans le monde à transformer les découvertes scientifiques en nouveaux traitements. Des essais cliniques décentralisés aux services de conseil en règlementation en passant par l’exploitation des connaissances du monde réel, notre capacité thérapeutique, technique et fonctionnelle est étayée par une profonde conviction dans ce que nous faisons. Parexel a été nommée « Meilleure société de recherche contractuelle » en décembre 2020 par un panel indépendant pour Informa Pharma Intelligence. Pour tout complément d’information, consultez le site parexel.com et suivez-nous sur LinkedInTwitter, et Instagram.

À propos d’EQT
EQT est une organisation mondiale d’investissement axée sur des objectifs, avec plus de 67 milliards d’euros d’actifs sous gestion à travers 26 fonds actifs. Les fonds d’EQT comptent des sociétés de portefeuille en Europe, en Asie-Pacifique et dans les Amériques, avec un chiffre d’affaires total d’environ 29 milliards d’euros et plus de 175 000 employés. EQT travaille avec des sociétés de portefeuille pour atteindre une croissance durable, l’excellence opérationnelle et le leadership du marché. Pour tout complément d’information, veuillez consulter le site www.eqtgroup.com ou suivre EQT sur LinkedInTwitterYouTube et Instagram.

À propos de Goldman Sachs Asset Management Private Equity
Réunissant des investissements traditionnels et alternatifs, Goldman Sachs Asset Management fournit à ses clients du monde entier un partenariat dédié et une focalisation sur les performances à long terme. En tant que principale section d’investissement au sein de Goldman Sachs (NYSE : GS), nous fournissons des services d’investissement et de conseil aux institutions, conseillers financiers et particuliers les plus importants au monde, en nous appuyant sur notre réseau mondial hautement connecté et sur des connaissances d’experts personnalisées, sur toutes les régions et tous les marchés, supervisant plus de 2 000 milliards de dollars d’actifs sous gestion à l’échelle mondiale au 31 mars 2021. Motivés par notre passion pour la performance de nos clients, nous cherchons à établir des relations à long terme basées sur la conviction, les résultats durables et le succès partagé au fil du temps. Goldman Sachs Asset Management investit dans l’ensemble des alternatives, y compris le capital-investissement, les capitaux de croissance, le crédit privé, l’immobilier et l’infrastructure. Fondée en 1986, l’entreprise de capital-investissement au sein de Goldman Sachs Asset Management a investi plus de 75 milliards de dollars depuis sa création. Nous combinons notre réseau mondial de relations, nos connaissances uniques sur l’ensemble des marchés, industries et régions, et les ressources mondiales de Goldman Sachs pour bâtir des entreprises et accélérer la création de valeur dans l’ensemble de nos portefeuilles. Suivez-nous sur LinkedIn.

À propos de Pamplona Capital Management
Pamplona Capital Management est un gestionnaire d’investissement spécialisé créé en 2005 qui fournit une plateforme de placement alternative pour le capital-investissement et d’autres stratégies diversifiées. Avec des bureaux à New York, Londres, Madrid et à Malte, Pamplona gère plus de 11 milliards de dollars d’actifs pour une variété de clients, y compris des fonds de pension publics, des gestionnaires de patrimoine internationaux, des sociétés multinationales, des bureaux familiaux et des fonds spéculatifs. Pamplona investit des capitaux à long terme dans la structure du capital de ses sociétés de portefeuille dans des situations de marché public et privé.

CONTACTS

Pour Parexel :
Lori Dorer
Vice-présidente sénior des communications d’entreprise
+1 513 496 8121

Lindsay LeCain
Real Chemistry
+ 1 508 259 9521

Pour EQT :
Daniel Yunger, Kekst CNC, + 1 917 574 8582
Bureau de presse d’EQT, press@eqtpartners.com, +46 8 506 55 334

Pour Goldman Sachs :
Leslie Shribman
+1 212 902 5400

Pour Pamplona Capital Management :
Ed Orlebar, TB Cardew
ed.orlebar@tbcardew.com
+44 (0)7738724630

LG HVAC Virtual Experience Showcases Company’s Latest Solutions, Whenever, Wherever

Utilizing the Latest Technology, Virtual Showroom Lets Visitors Get to Know LG’s Wide Range of Residential and Commercial HVAC Solutions

SEOUL, South Korea, July 7, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — LG Electronics (LG) is launching the LG HVAC Virtual Experience, a new, interactive online showroom that gives visitors the opportunity to browse and learn all about its extensive portfolio of first-class HVAC solutions, anywhere, anytime. Helping customers to make better decisions for their families or valued employees, the intuitive, online space makes it possible to view the company’s latest solutions in a variety of virtual environments and discover their many benefits, such as greater comfort, improved indoor air quality and seamless control.

LG DUAL Vane Cassette installed in the high-rise office setting

Upon entering the LG HVAC Virtual Experience, visitors can choose from several business and living space categories: Residential Apartment, Residential Villa, Office General, Office High-Rise, Retail and Hotel. Customers can then freely roam their selected 3D environment using just a mouse or touchscreen device, clicking on straightforward menus as they go to reach additional information like specifications, features, product videos and case studies for each model. Simple to use and navigate, LG’s new virtual platform is a great tool for consumers, industry professionals and partners looking to create healthier and more comfortable indoor spaces.

LG HVAC Product Line-up (From Left, Round Cassette, DUALCOOL with AirCare Complete System, Therma V)

What’s more, the virtual showroom allows visitors to see the behind-the-scenes details and technologies. By pressing the on-screen Airflow and Piping buttons, visitors can uncover how air travels in an air conditioner or air purifier and how pipes direct water and refrigerant through a system. They can even virtually switch operational modes and observe how airflow changes from one air conditioner to another. Beyond the technology and science, the showroom is a great place to check out all the products’ stylish designs to see how they match various virtual interiors.

LG Virtual Experience showcasing 4-way Cassette with DUAL Vane in General Office Space

LG HVAC Virtual Experience is an engaging online resource that can give visitors a thorough understanding of the company’s latest, optimized HVAC solutions for different kinds of spaces, helping them figure out which products are best suited to their specific needs. The showroom also demonstrates LG’s commitment to ensuring a sustainable future, highlighting innovative LG technologies, such as the energy-efficient R1 Compressor, and the company’s early adoption of the eco-friendly R32 refrigerant.

LG Virtual Experience showcasing Hydro Kit in Hotel Space

LG has been providing its highly efficient and environmentally responsible HVAC products for many years, and continues to satisfy customers across the world with its advanced, eco-conscious solutions for residential and commercial use. Anyone wanting to discover the company’s latest indoor environmental comfort technologies can visit LG Virtual HVAC Experience on a PC or smartphone.

“The LG Virtual HVAC Experience delivers a compelling way to experience our latest solutions, whenever and wherever you choose,” said James Lee, a Head of Air Solution Business Unit at LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. “We will continue to work tirelessly to create HVAC products that not only make homes and businesses more comfortable, but are better for users, the environment, and the future of our planet.”

About LG Electronics Air Solution Business Unit

LG air conditioning provides optimized solutions for every sector and climate with a wide range of cutting-edge systems that bring exceptional heating, ventilation and air conditioning performance to buildings worldwide. Through our unmatched expertise and industry knowledge, we respond directly to the needs of businesses seeking digitalized and eco-conscious HVAC solutions. We are the partner your business has been looking for, and are well prepared to integrate our leading technology into your day-to-day operations, supporting you and your business every step of the way. For more information, please visit www.LG.com.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1557919/LG_Dual_Vane_Cassette_High_rise_Office.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1557918/LG_HVAC_Product_Line_up.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1557920/LG_HVAC_Virtual_Experience_Showroom_01.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1557917/LG_HVAC_Virtual_Experience_Showroom_02.jpg

South Africa’s Ex-leader Turns Himself In for Prison Term

Former South African president Jacob Zuma turned himself over to police early Thursday to begin serving a 15-month prison term.

Just minutes before the midnight deadline for police to arrest him, Zuma left his Nkandla home in a convoy of vehicles. Zuma decided to hand himself over to authorities to obey the order from the country’s highest court, the Constitutional Court, that he should serve a prison term for contempt of court.

“President Zuma has decided to comply with the incarceration order. He is on his way to hand himself into a Correctional Services Facility in KZN (KwaZulu-Natal province),” said a tweet posted by the Zuma Foundation.

Soon after the South African police confirmed that Zuma was in their custody.

Zuma’s decision to obey the Constitutional Court order comes after a week of rising tensions over his prison sentence.

Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt because he defied a court order for him to testify before a judicial commission investigating widespread allegations of corruption during his time as the country’s president, from 2009-18.

The Constitutional Court ordered that if Zuma did not voluntarily hand himself over to the police then the police should arrest the country’s former president by the end of the day Wednesday.

In a last-minute plea to avoid going to prison, Zuma’s lawyers had written to the acting chief justice requesting that his arrest be suspended until Friday, when a regional court is to rule on his application to postpone the arrest.

Zuma’s lawyers asked the acting chief justice to issue directives stopping the police from arresting him, claiming there would be a “prejudice to his life.”

The top court met late Wednesday, according to local reports, but apparently rejected Zuma’s request.

Zuma had also launched two court proceedings to avoid arrest after his sentence last week.

He applied at the Constitutional Court for his sentence to be rescinded and that application will be heard July 12.

On Tuesday, his lawyers were in the Pietermaritzburg High Court seeking to stop the minister of police from arresting him until the Constitutional Court rules on his application to have the sentence rescinded. The regional court will rule on that application on Friday.

Political tensions have risen in KwaZulu-Natal province as a result of Zuma’s conviction, sentence and pending arrest. Hundreds of his supporters gathered at his home over the weekend and vowed to prevent his arrest, but they left on Sunday.

The judicial inquiry into corruption during his term as president has heard damning testimony from former Cabinet ministers and top executives of state-owned corporations that Zuma allowed his associates, members of the Gupta family, to influence his Cabinet appointments and lucrative contracts. Zuma refused to comply with a court order to appear before the commission, which led the Constitutional Court to convict him of contempt and sentence him to prison.

In a separate matter, Zuma is standing trial on charges of corruption related to a 1999 arms deal, where he allegedly received bribes from French arms manufacturer Thales. His financial adviser has already been convicted and imprisoned in that case.

Source: Voice of America