Former South African President Jacob Zuma’s recent journey back to prison and subsequent release within a span of two hours has ignited a fresh wave of speculation. The backdrop to this unfolding drama revolves around his parole status and a new initiative aimed at curbing overcrowding in correctional facilities.
The situation has sparked renewed debates about preferential treatment and fairness as Zuma, aged 81, navigates a 15-month sentence for contempt of court due to his refusal to testify in a corruption inquiry. This latest episode has been criticized as an “absolute joke” by the prominent opposition party in South Africa.
The remissions program, unveiled publicly for the first time on Friday, seeks to release over 9,400 inmates from prisons, transferring them to home-based correctional supervision. While the program is designed to address overcrowding, Zuma seems to be its inaugural beneficiary.
Zuma initially reported to Estcourt Correctional Centre in Kwa-Zulu Natal at 6 a.m. to serve the remaining 13 months of his sentence. Astonishingly, he was released a little after 7 a.m. as his remission was swiftly processed, according to Makgothi Thobakgale, the acting national commissioner of the corrections department.
Amidst mounting intrigue, Zuma later returned to his rural Nkandla estate in a convoy of black SUVs.
John Steenhuisen, leader of the Democratic Alliance, South Africa’s primary opposition party, voiced skepticism, stating, “Surprise, surprise, he is the first beneficiary of a brand new policy. This is a cynical manipulation of the justice system.”
Justice Minister Ronald Lamola clarified that President Cyril Ramaphosa had authorized the decision to “remit the sentence” based on his constitutional authority.
Friday’s events mark a continuation of the complex legal saga surrounding Zuma’s sentence. Initially imprisoned in July 2021 for defying a court order, he was released on medical parole after just two months. However, this medical parole was deemed invalid in court, leading to a decision on whether Zuma should serve the remaining 13 months in jail or if his medical parole should suffice.
Zuma’s inclusion in the newly announced remissions program is seen by some as a measure to prevent unrest similar to the violent incidents following his initial imprisonment. In 2021, over 350 people lost their lives in widespread violence triggered by his incarceration.
Zuma’s journey continues as he grapples with multiple legal challenges, including a separate corruption trial. His complex history in South African politics and his ongoing legal battles continue to captivate national and international attention.