Justice Minister Ronald Lamola this morning made it known that former president Jacob Zuma will need to return to prison to complete his prison sentence.

The decision was made by Correctional Services national commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale, and relayed by the minister during a media briefing earlier this morning.

The prison sentence stems from Zuma’s failure to appear before the State Capture Inquiry, for which the Constitutional Court sentenced him to 15 months in jail. He was subsequently granted medical parole by former national commissioner Arthur Fraser. This decision was later found to be unlawful and it was determined that Zuma should go back to jail.

This morning’s announcement cements the Constitutional Court’s dismissal of an appeal that the medical parole decision should not be overturned.

Zuma checked in at the Estcourt correctional facility at around  06:00 but was released two hours later. According to Thobakgale, he was released under a remission process, which is granted to low-risk offenders in a bid to alleviate prison overcrowding.

Zuma is one of 15 000 inmates ‘under correctional supervision and parole’.

“The exercise of exploring special remission commenced on April 24 when we lost approximately 1 112 bed spaces due to dilapidation in most of our centres.

“To ensure that this decision is implemented effectively, a joint technical task team comprising the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security cluster departments will oversee the process over 10 months, with the Department of Home Affairs leading the aspect of foreign nationals. It’s important to note that victims will be allowed to make representations during the offenders’ considerations for placement,” a statement by the Correctional Services Department reads.

Watch the briefing: