Jacob Zuma Released From Prison

Former South African President, Jacob Zuma has been released from prison on health grounds, prison authorities confirmed on Sunday.

Zuma was sentenced to a 15-month jail term by the country’s Constitutional Court for contempt after he refused to appear before a judicial commission probing corruption during his nearly decade-long presidency.

The 79-year-old started his sentence on July 8 at the Estcourt prison in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province, a development that led to violent riots in South Africa as over 300 persons were killed and businesses looted.

Zuma was later admitted to a hospital where he later underwent surgery, and two weeks after, he was allowed to attend his brother’s funeral at his Nkandla rural home.

“Medical parole placement for Zuma means that he will complete the remainder of the sentence in the system of community corrections, whereby he must comply with a specific set of conditions and will be subjected to supervision until his sentence expires,” the Department of Correctional Services said in a statement late on Sunday.

The department explained that the decision was due to a medical report it received.

“Apart from being terminally ill and physically incapacitated, inmates suffering from an illness that severely limits their daily activity or self-care can also be considered for medical parole,” it said.

The Jacob Zuma Foundation has welcomed the decision for Zuma to serve the rest of his sentence outside prison.

“He is still in hospital right now,” said the foundation in a statement, adding that more detailed remarks would be issued “in due course after consultation with the legal team of President Zuma”.