Will former president Jacob Zuma ever go to prison?
Where is former president Jacob Zuma, and will he ever go to prison? WHERE IS FORMER PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA AND WILL HE EVER GO TO PRISON? This comes after reports he extended his stay in Moscow. ALSO READ: Jacob Zuma ‘ill’ and receiving medical attention in Russia Jacob Zuma Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi confirmed to the media on […]
Where is former president Jacob Zuma, and will he ever go to prison?
WHERE IS FORMER PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA AND WILL HE EVER GO TO PRISON?
This comes after reports he extended his stay in Moscow.
ALSO READ: Jacob Zuma ‘ill’ and receiving medical attention in Russia
Jacob Zuma Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi confirmed to the media on Thursday that Zuma had not returned from Moscow.
“I don’t know when he will be coming back,” he said.
ZUMA REPORTEDLY EXTENDED HIS STAY IN MOSCOW AFTER HE WAS EXPECTED TO RETURN
DA Shadow Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Adv. Glynnis Breytenbach MP said the party believes President Zuma is extending his stay in Russia in anticipation of an adverse announcement from the Commissioner of Correctional Services Makgothi Thobakgale.
“There is an urgent need for Jacob Zuma to return to jail, after he was found to have been in contempt of the Constitutional Court. The rule of law applies to all in South Africa, and President Zuma’s return to prison is essential for restoring full confidence in our judiciary and the principle of equality before the law.
“The DA will be writing to the National Commissioner of Correctional Services to urge him to act swiftly in making a decision on Zuma’s return to prison, and the timeline in which this will occur.
“We will further remind him that his decision should be fully constitutional, lawful and rational, by placing the interests of South Africa and its justice system ahead of narrow political concerns.”
Glynnis Breytenbach
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LAST WEEK THE COURT DISMISSED THE APPLICATION TO APPEAL THE RULING THAT HE SHOULD RETURN TO PRISON
Last Thursday, the Constitutional Court dismissed the Department of Correctional Services’ application for leave to appeal a Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruling that Zuma should return to prison.
The apex court found the department’s appeal “bears no reasonable prospect of success” and dismissed the application with costs.
ALSO READ: ‘Abuse of court processes’: Ramaphosa welcomes court’s decision on Zuma’s private prosecution
ZUMA WAS JAILED IN 2021 AFTER HE WAS SENTENCED TO 15 IN CONTEMPT OF COURT
Zuma was jailed in July 2021 after he was sentenced to 15 months for contempt of the Constitutional Court after he refused to obey an order to appear before the Zondo Commission.
However, hardly two months later, he was released on medical parole after then national commissioner of correctional services, Arthur Fraser, overruled the Medical Parole Advisory Board’s (MPAB) recommendation that the former president did not qualify.
ALSO READ: Cele ready for ‘whatever eventuality’ following Zuma ruling