Former president Jacob Zuma will be going back to prison—Estcourt Correctional Centre—following a judgement by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) passed on 21 November 2022.
Zuma’s return to prison is centred on his parole being found “unlawful, irrational and unconstitutional” by the SCA.
Also read: Jacob Zuma to remain on medical parole for now
The former president was meant to serve 15 months of imprisonment for failing to appear for a State Capture Inquiry investigating corruption during his 2009 to 2018 presidency.
He was arrested in July 2021 and then released on medical parole in September 2021. Last December, the Gauteng High Court ordered him to go back to finish his sentence, and he appealed the ruling.
The SCA has contradicted the Commissioner of Correctional Services’ statement that Zuma’s term was completed in October.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) echo the same sentiments. “The SCA rightly pointed out that this pronouncement was premature given that the issue was pending before the court, and that it potentially undermines the judicial process, particularly since the Department of Correctional Services was an appellant in the matter.”
“It is crucial now that the Commissioner of Correctional Services does the right thing. Zuma must be made to serve his sentence like any ordinary South African would be made to do. The Commissioner should not be swayed by threats of a repeat of the July unrest in KZN last year, which were sparked by Zuma supporters protesting his arrest,” said the DA.
More details of when the former ANC leader will return to prison to follow.
Also read:
Picture: Twitter