Zuma briefly incarcerated, granted special remission

Zuma briefly incarcerated, granted special remission

Former president Jacob Zuma was admitted and released from the Estcourt Correctional Centre in KZN on Friday morning. 

Jacob Zuma launches another scathing attack on President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Former president Jacob Zuma speaks during his birthday celebrations at Durban Music House. Image: SANDILE NDLOVU

The Department of Correctional Service says the former president was processed after receiving a special remission of sentence to reduce prison overcrowding.

 

Correctional Services Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale explained the process to which Zuma was submitted. 

 

"He did arrive this morning at 6 o'clock. He was admitted into the system, and upon admission into the system, he was subjected to processes that included the remission that is already approved for all offenders that qualify with the administrative process. He was then released."


Zuma was sentenced in June 2021 after refusing to testify before the commission of inquiry into state capture -- but was freed on medical parole just two months into his term.


He started serving the sentence early in July 2021.


His jailing sparked protests that descended into riots and looting that left more than 350 dead in the worst violence to hit the country since the advent of democracy in South Africa.


The following month, he was admitted to the hospital for an undisclosed condition before being granted medical parole.


In November last year, the Supreme Court of Appeal found the release was illegally granted and ordered the now 81-year-old back to the Estcourt Correctional Centre in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province.


South Africa's prison service, which had granted Zuma's conditional release, appealed the decision, but the bid was dismissed by the Constitutional Court last month.

newswatch new banner 1

Show's Stories