Former president Jacob Zuma part of a "remission process" aimed at addressing overcrowding in prison
Former president Jacob Zuma reported back to prison on Friday morning before being swiftly released as part of a "remission process" aimed at addressing overcrowding in prison.
PICTURE: Twitter - @PresJGZumaThe decision was announced by Correctional Services boss
Makgothi Thobakgale, and Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald
Lamola at a media briefing on Friday.
Zuma was sentenced in June 2021 after refusing to testify
before the state capture inquiry -- but
was freed on medical parole just two months into his term. He started serving the
sentence early in July 2021. 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. 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.
The apex court found that the decision by former prisons
boss Arthur Fraser to grant Zuma medical parole to have been unlawful and
ordered the department to make a decision on his return to prison.
Thobakgale said Zuma handed himself over to Estcourt
Correctional Centre on Friday morning and left an hour later after being
subject to administrative processes.
"In compliance with the SCA judgment, Mr Zuma did
report back at Estcourt Correctional Centre. A consideration has been made as
per legislation, including processes that were already unfolding in the
management of Correctional Services. The administrative procedures have ensued,
and Mr Zuma has been processed accordingly," said Thobakgale.
Lamola said President Cyril Ramaphosa approved the remission of non-violent offenders to alleviate overcrowding in facilities.
“Additionally, it will alleviate overcrowding in
correctional centres by releasing approximately 9,488 inmates and a further
15,000 inmates who are currently under correctional supervision and parole.
“The majority of the beneficiaries of this decision are
already serving parole or under correctional supervision in their communities.
“The exercise of exploring special remission commenced on
24 April 2023 when we lost approximately 1112 bed space due to dilapidation in
most of our centres," Lamola added.
Done By: Esona Mfazwe
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