Jacob Zuma medical parole

Photo by Emmanuel Croset / AFP

Zuma isolated: It’s a lonely start to prison life for Msholozi – here’s why

Jacob Zuma is now part of SA’s prison population – but it may be a while before he gets to introduce himself to the other inmates.

Jacob Zuma medical parole

Photo by Emmanuel Croset / AFP

For the first time in South African history, a serving president has been sent to serve time in prison. Jacob Zuma, now an inmate of the Estcourt Correctional Facility, has spent his first night in the slammer – but he faces time in isolation.

Jacob Zuma ‘alone in prison’

That’s not because he has already joined a gang or started a riot. Unfortunately, it’s way less interesting than that. COVID-19 regulations require new prisoners to spend time in quarantine before mixing with the general prison population.

“All inmates, upon admission to correctional facilities, must be screened in terms of established protocols, quarantined in terms of national health COVID-19 guidelines and subject to regulatory assessments before they are detained with the general inmate population.”

Department of Correctional Services

COVID-19 protocols keep Jacob Zuma isolated – for now

At 11:30 on Thursday, we are expecting a briefing from Justice Minister Ronald Lamola. The Correctional Services Ministry has also confirmed that there will be more information forthcoming on Zuma’s stretch behind bars. They have vowed to keep the president in ‘safe and secure’ custody throughout his time inside

“Mr. Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma has been admitted to start serving a 15 months sentence at Estcourt Correctional Centre, KwaZulu-Natal will be taken through all the admission processes as per DCS regulations. Other relevant prescripts pertaining to admitting and orientating newly incarcerated persons will also be followed and executed.”

“Details about the appropriate classification, prerogatives and incarceration conditions can only be determined at the completion of the assessment process to be undertaken by relevant authorities within the employ of DCS. Keeping inmates in a safe and secure custody remains cardinal to Correctional Services.”

Msholozi and his team downtrodden…

As you’d expect, the mood in the Zuma camp is fairly flat on Thursday. A statement from the JGZ Foundation has spoken of ‘the tragedy’ that has been felt amongst uBaba and his allies. Mzwanele Manyi, a spokesperson for the one-time head of state, has rejected all enquiries from the media for today, as he ‘reflects’ on the events of last night.