South Africa Jailed Former President Jacob Zuma Placed on Medical Parole

South Africa’s jailed former president Jacob Zuma has been placed on medical parole due to ill health.

The Department of Correctional Services said Zuma’s eligibility for medical parole was impelled by a medical report they received.

This means the 79-year-old will complete the remainder of the sentence in the system of community corrections, where he will be required to comply with a specific set of conditions and will be subjected to supervision until his sentence expires.

“Apart from being terminally ill and physically incapacitated, inmates suffering from an illness that severely limits their daily activity or self-care can also be considered for medical parole," the department said in a statement on Sunday.

The department’s spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said Zuma, who underwent surgery last month, was still in hospital but could be discharged to continue receiving medical care at home.

Zuma, who was serving a 15-month sentence in Estcourt prison for contempt of court, underwent unspecified surgery at an outside hospital on August 15th and remained there with more operations planned. 

He was jailed for defying a Constitutional Court order requiring him to testify at an inquiry investigating high-level corruption during his nine years in office.