Zuma is already free after receiving ‘special remission’ this morning, less than two hours after handing himself over at Estcourt prison.
In some breaking news, it was just announced that former president Jacob Zuma is already free after receiving ‘special remission’ from the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) this morning, less than two hours after handing himself over at Estcourt prison.
The Department of Correctional Services’ acting national commissioner, Makgothi Thobakgale, made the announcement on Friday morning.
The National Joint Operation and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints) on Thursday evening said it is ready for any eventuality ahead of a decision by the Department of Correctional Services Zuma’s return to prison.
The department’s acting national commissioner, Makgothi Thobakgale, will decide whether Zuma will return to jail to complete his 15-month sentence.
Meanwhile, police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said Natjoints was ready.
SA National Defence Force (SANDF) spokesperson Simphiwe Ndlovu told the media he was unaware of any deployments ahead of the department’s decision.
Last month, 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.
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.
His arrested sparked the deadly and violent riots in 2021.
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.
