Cele ready for ‘whatever eventuality’ following Zuma ruling

Police Minister Bheki Cele says how they respond to an order to have former president Jacob Zuma arrested will depend on Correctional Services.

The Constitutional Court dismissed a bid by Correctional Services to overturn a previous judgement handed down by the Supreme Court of Appeal. In December 2021, the High Court in Pretoria reviewed and set aside former prison boss Arthur Fraser’s decision to release Zuma on medical parole. The matter was then resolved with the SCA, but that application was dismissed.

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WHAT’S NEXT AFTER ZUMA COURT RULING?

Minister Bheki Cele says they will execute whatever order is given to them regarding Jacob Zuma as he has been in contact with his Justice and Correctional Services counterpart, Ronald Lamola, on the matter.

“The ConCourt gave the prerogative to them. The acting national commission of Correctional Services is still waiting for that decision. I spoke to the minister, they said the legal team is still trying to interpret what is supposed to happen,” Cele said.

There have been fears of unrest following the court’s decision to uphold the SCA which essentially reversed his medical parole.

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“We are getting ready for whatever eventualities which could be to say they take him back to prison or he has finished his sentence. It’s up to them”

Police Minister Bheki Cele

Msholozi was sentenced to 15 months behind bars by the highest court in the land after he defied another court order, which had instructed him to appear before the State Capture Commission. Zuma was at the centre of corruption allegations against him and the controversial Gupta family.

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