Thousands of inmates are released
South Africa’s ex-president Zuma is not to be jailed again
08/11/2023, 11:45 am
Former South African President Zuma will not go to jail again. In addition to thousands of prisoners, he also received a waiver. However, this has nothing to do with good leadership, but is due to another problem.
South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma has been spared another prison sentence. According to South Africa’s Corrections Authority, Zuma was granted pardon. He had previously reported to Escourt Correctional Facility on Friday morning, but was allowed to leave prison shortly thereafter.
Acting President Cyril Ramaphosa had approved a pardon for more than nine thousand low-risk prisoners. Justice Minister Ronald Lamola said the decision was due to prison overcrowding. The process of possible penalties had already begun in April.
The former head of state and leader of the African National Congress (ANC) was sentenced to 15 months in prison in 2021 after refusing to testify before a committee charged with investigating corruption and nepotism during his tenure.
Zuma’s arrest sparked violent riots that left 350 dead and hundreds of businesses looted and set on fire. After less than eight weeks, however, he was released because of alleged health problems. Last July, the constitutional court in Johannesburg declared Zuma’s early release from prison on health grounds to be unlawful. The 81-year-old was president from 2009 to 2018.