Former President Jacob Zuma. Image: Twitter/@JGZ_Foundation
Ex-president Jacob Zuma ‘consulting legal team’
Correctional Services says ex-president Jacob Zuma is one of over nine thousand inmates benefitting from a remission process
Former President Jacob Zuma. Image: Twitter/@JGZ_Foundation
Despite essentially being a free man … for now, former president Jacob Zuma might have something up his sleeve. This is in the wake of President Cyril Ramaphosa granting his predecessor remission.
Correctional Services Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale alongside Justice Minister Ronald Lamola announced that Zuma would be one of over nine thousand inmates who would benefit from the special remission process, which is aimed at addressing overcrowding in our prisons. This is generally granted to low-risk offenders, many of whom are convicted of non-violent crimes.
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ZUMA REPORTED BACK TO PRISON
It was learnt that Jacob Zuma reported to Escourt Prison in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) on Friday, 11 August 2023, in the early hours. However, he was allowed to go home just two hours later.
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 taken up with the SCA, but that application was dismissed. The ruling by the highest court in the land left the decision on Zuma’s fate in the hands of Thobakgale.
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WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Asked for comment, Jacob Zuma Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi said the former president was currently at home and consulting his lawyers on the way forward.
“H.E is at home. At this point, he is consultation with his legal team. We hope to issue a statement later,” Zuma said.
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.
