Despite a 15 month prison sentence for contempt of court, former South African president Jacob Zuma doesn’t seem destined to spend much time behind bars. He’s been released from Estcourt correctional facility, just one hour after arriving.
Zuma was released on medical parole shortly after entering prison the first time. In 2021 the Pretoria high court ruled that his release was unlawful and he should finish his sentence.
After reporting back to prison and entering processing, Zuma was sent home after only an hour. The Department of corrections has granted him a remission of sentence.
The prison has blamed the embattled former president’s release on overcrowding at the Estcourt prison.
The ANC has welcomed Zuma’s release saying, ”The imprisonment of a former president who swore to uphold the laws of this land, for contempt of court, is a betrayal of the people of South Africa and it demands a sober response.”
Opposition party leader John Steenhuisen believes there is an obvious conspiracy to keep Zuma out of prison.
He says “It’s not surprising that the outcome was delayed repeatedly and notices were sent and then withdrawn because this sort of devious and behaviour requires a great deal of forethought and planning.”
Watch the full statement here.
He went on to criticise President Cyril Ramaphosa of once again putting the ANC over the rest of South Africa.
“Once again the president’s spineless nature to stand up for what is right, his inability to protect the people over party has been on full display here.”
Zuma spent just 2 months of the his 15 month sentence behind bars.
