South Africa: opposition takes justice to return ex-president Zuma to prison
Former South African President Jacob Zuma, in May 2021, during a court appearance.
PHILL MAGAKOE POOL / AFP / Archivos
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1 min
The former head of state, imprisoned since early July for contempt of justice, was released on Sunday, September 5, 2021 for medical reasons.
Conditional freedom granted by the prison services.
The opposition does not take offense and denounces a political decision.
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For the main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance,
this release is illegal and unfair
.
The final decision to release Jacob Zuma was taken by the National Commissioner for Penitentiary Services, Arthur Frazer, against the advice of the parole review board.
The opposition therefore wants to know what justified this decision.
In a statement, the prison authorities explain that the decision was taken on the basis of a "medical report".
Without further explanation.
Indeed, last month, Jacob Zuma underwent surgery, the nature of which has not been specified.
But above all the Democratic Alliance party denounces the relationship between the two men: Jacob Zuma and Arthur Frazer.
The latter was appointed director general of intelligence services, by Jacob Zuma himself, five years ago.
Two other opposition parties have also declared themselves against the release of the former president, without appealing to the courts.
And a leading civil society organization, the Helen Suzman Foundation, has given prison officials until Monday to explain their decision or risk another lawsuit.
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South Africa
Jacob Zuma