Zuma parole: Yes! says Manyi. Why? asks Curlewis
While some sectors of society have welcomed the news that Jacob Zuma has been released on medical parole, others are asking if he received preferential treatment.
Former president Jacob Zuma is the product of extreme injustice, and therefore his medical parole is welcomed, says Mzwanele Manyi, Jacob G Zuma Foundation spokesperson.
Manyi was responding to the news that Zuma had been released on parole, as announced by the Department of Correctional Services on Sunday afternoon.
Zuma, who is currently in hospital, was jailed on July 7 after being sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment for contempt of court. He was hospitalised on August 6, but details of his illness have not been made public.
“We are sitting here with a man who has been failed by the justice system of South Africa, …a man who is nearly 80 years old, who has been imprisoned without a trial. Therefore, we celebrate Mr Zuma’s parole,” Manyi said.
It is widely speculated that National Commissioner of Correctional Services Arthur Fraser could be responsible for Zuma’s parole, as it is believed they have a close relationship stemming from the days Fraser was South Africa’s spy boss.
Manyi does not deny that, but according to him, Zuma’s parole was above board.
“The commissioner has a mandate to give parole to anyone who has a sentence of 24 months or shorter. It is thus unfair to insinuate that Mr Fraser acted outside of his mandate,” Manyi said.
News of Zuma’s medical parole became a topic of debate on social media, with both members of the public and political parties weighing in. Many people are questioning South Africa’s justice system.
Dr Llewelyn Curlewis, a legal expert at the University of Pretoria, said South Africans have the right to be sceptical about Zuma’s parole.
“We know of many other inmates in similar positions who have been trying to get parole from the commissioner. At face value at least, there is something to be sceptical about in the case of former president Jacob Zuma,” Curlewis said.
“There is a perception that Zuma received preferential treatment, which will justify criticism against the parole if it is found to be true,” Curlewis added.
WATCH: Journalist Izak du Plessis chats to Jacob G Zuma Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi and procedural law expert Dr Llewelyn Curlewis about Jacob Zuma’s parole.
