Zuma Returns To Prison, Released An Hour Later
*Overcrowding cited as reason.
South Africa's ex-President, Jacob Zuma, 81, was Friday, saved from the trauma of returning to prison as an inmate.
Though the former president, sentenced to 15 months for contempt of court, surrendered himself to the authorities, he got his reprieve due to overcrowding in the KwaZulu-Natal based Estcourt Correctional Facility.
The country's Prisons Commissioner, Makgothi Thobakgale, disclosed that indeed, the former President reported to the correctional facility in his home province and was "admitted" into the system after which he was released an hour later.
The remission status, according to Makgothi, was approved by President Cyril Ramaphosa, a privilege also extended to more than 9,000 low-risk prisoners.
The former President was earlier freed on medical parole. However, an Appeal Court ruled in November 2022 that his release was illegal and subsequently ordered his return to prison to finish his sentence.
In July, the country's Constitutional Court rejected an attempt to vacate the ruling.
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