Former President Jacob Zuma on Friday reported to the Estcourt Correctional Centre and has since been released after being granted a special remission.
National Commissioner, Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale, confirmed the decision at a joint media briefing with Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola.
“As the National Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services, I have exercised my discretion as per the SCA [Supreme Court of Appeal] judgement, in deciding whether or not to take into account the period served under Community Corrections by the former President, Mr Jacob Zuma,” he told the media.
This comes after the SCA found that the National Commissioner’s decision to place the former Statesman on medical parole was unlawful and unconstitutional, and that he had to complete his sentence.
The Constitutional Court sentenced Zuma to 15-months imprisonment in July 2021 and only served two months after he ignored a court order to testify at the so-called State Capture inquiry.
“In compliance with the SCA judgement, Mr Zuma did report back at Estcourt Correctional Centre this morning. A consideration has been made as per legislation, including processes that were already unfolding in the management of correctional services,” said Thobakgale.
“The administrative procedures have ensued and Mr Zuma has been processed accordingly,” the Commissioner added.
Thobakgale further explained that although both the SCA and the High Court considered the Commissioner’s decision as unlawful, Zuma was not discharged, but placed under community corrections where he continued serving his sentence, under strict conditions.
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