South Africa's former President Jacob Zuma was briefly returned to prison on Friday following a ruling that his release on medical parole was unlawful. However, just an hour later, he was set free under a remission process aimed at addressing overcrowding in jails.
Zuma, who is 81 years old, arrived at the Estcourt correctional detention facility early in the morning and was promptly admitted to the system. However, Correctional Services national commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale confirmed that he was quickly released after the short stint in prison.
The former president began serving a 15-month prison sentence in July 2021 after being found guilty of contempt of court. He had defied a summons to appear at an inquiry into corruption allegations during his presidency. Zuma's initial arrest sparked violent protests across South Africa, resulting in numerous deaths.
In September 2021, the government's correctional services department announced that Zuma had been released on medical parole due to his deteriorating health. However, in November, the Court of Appeal ruled that his release was unlawful, ordering him to return to prison.
To comply with the court's decision, Zuma was returned to prison on Friday. However, due to President Cyril Ramaphosa's policy of granting remission to nonviolent offenders, aimed at reducing prison overcrowding, Zuma was released under that provision.
The issue of overcrowding in South African prisons has been a matter of concern, as it poses a threat to inmate health, security, and management. It can also contribute to increased gang activity. Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola emphasized the importance of addressing this problem and stated that overcrowding hampers the department's ability to provide necessary development and rehabilitation programs.
Zuma's release from prison after just an hour has raised eyebrows and sparked debate about the country's justice system. However, it is clear that the issue of overcrowding needs to be urgently addressed in the interest of the well-being and rehabilitation of inmates.