Former President Zuma is Granted Compassionate Leave to Attend Brother’s Funeral

The Department of Correctional Services granted former President Jacob Zuma permission to attend the funeral of his late younger brother today.

In a statement, the department said a sentenced offender who was granted permission to leave a correctional centre remained a sentenced offender even while temporarily outside.

“The permission granted to Mr Zuma is for 22 July 2021,” the department said.

When outside a correctional facility, inmates need not wear offender uniform.

“As a short-term, low risk classified inmate, Mr Zuma’s application for compassionate leave was processed and approved following the Correctional Services prescripts.”

The former president is currently serving a 15-month sentence at the Escourt Correctional Centre in KwaZulu-Natal. The former statesman, 79, was sentenced on 29 June for defying an instruction to give evidence at an inquiry into corruption during his nine years in power.

He will today attend the burial of his younger brother Michael, who died earlier this month after a reportedly long illness. – SAnews.gov.za

UPDATE: After the funeral, Acting Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni told the media: “He was accompanied by correctional officers supported by law enforcement agencies. And we are to confirm that he has returned back to the Estcourt correctional facility as we speak.”