Jacob Zuma: Former South African president released from prison on parole

Zuma, 79, is serving a 15-month prison sentence since July for contempt of court after challenging a subpoena to appear in a corruption investigation during his tenure.

“The medical establishment of parole for Mr. Zuma means that he will complete the rest of the sentence in the system of community corrections, so he will have to meet a set of specific conditions and will be subject to supervision until his sentence expires. said the South African department. Correctional Services (DCS) said this Sunday in a statement.

The DCS said it was “driven” to grant Zuma parole after receiving a medical report.

“In addition to being terminally ill and physically disabled, inmates who suffer from a disease that severely limits their daily activity or self-care may also be considered on parole,” the statement said.

The DCS appealed to South Africans “to give dignity to Mr Zuma as he continues to receive medical treatment”.

More than 70 people have died in protests in South Africa after the imprisonment of former leader Jacob Zuma
Deadly violence erupted in South Africa in July after Zuma was handed over to custody, sparking widespread protests and looting as soldiers and police struggled to restore order. It was one of the worst violence the country had seen in years.

Zuma’s successor, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, said the unrest was “instigated” and would not allow “anarchy and chaos in the country” to develop.

Zuma served as president from 2009 to 2018 and was once widely celebrated as a key figure in the country’s liberation movement. He spent ten years in prison with anti-apartheid hero and former President Nelson Mandela.

But his nine years in office have been plagued by allegations of high-level corruption, which he has repeatedly denied.

Zuma is accused of corruption involving three close businessmen – the Atul brothers, Ajay and Rajesh Gupta – and allowing them to influence government policy, including hiring and firing ministers to align with the business interests of the family. The Guptas deny the fouls, but left South Africa after Zuma was ousted from the presidency.

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