Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
21 July 2023 | 18:31 CAT

Image: Twitter

There have been widespread and different opinions after Former South African President Jacob Zuma was taken back to prison on Friday after his parole was ruled invalid, only to be rereleased within two hours under a new program to reduce prison overcrowding.

The move immediately raised more questions over whether the 81-year-old receives preferential treatment to avoid serving a 15-month sentence for contempt of court for refusing to testify at an inquiry into corruption. It was called “an absolute joke” by South Africa’s main opposition party.

The remissions program was authorized by President Cyril Ramaphosa and made public for the first time Friday. While justice officials said it aims to release more than 9,400 inmates from jail and put them under correctional supervision at home, Zuma appeared to be the first to benefit.

Justice Minister Ronald Lamola said President Ramaphosa had decided to “remit the sentence” of his predecessor under the constitutional authority he has to remit the sentence of “any offender at any time.”

Democratic Alliance leader, John Steenhuisen, said the President had “weaseled out of standing up for the rule of law and the Constitution” by choosing instead to use a “cynical and manipulative move” to free former President Zuma.

He said this was a cynical manipulation of the justice system as well as the powers of government.

DA MP, Glynnis Breytenbach, said they would be seeking legal opinion.

The Inkatha Freedom Party said the decision “tempers justice with mercy.”

Meanwhile, Public Interest SA’s Tebogo Khaas told Radio Islam International the matter was handled elegantly, and the country needs to accept the decision and move on.

“I believe to the extent there was a general amnesty that sought to provide remission of sentences for non-violent criminals, which is what Zuma is. Zuma still has other matters before court and is hopeful that he respects other decisions moving forward as he makes the decision of his release,” says Khaas.

He added, “in matured democracies such instances where people are released under circumstances of that which former president Jacob Zuma was released.”

Listen to the full interview on Your World Today with Moulana Junaid Kharsany.