Ex-South African President Zuma freed as prison sentence ends

Jacob Zuma obtained a 15-month sentence final yr after he ignored directions to take part in a corruption inquiry.

Former South African President Jacob Zuma removes his eyeglasses as he addresses the media in his dwelling in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal on July 4, 2021 [File: Emmanuel Croset/AFP]

Former South African President Jacob Zuma has been freed following the expiry of his jail sentence for contempt of courtroom, the federal government mentioned on Friday.

Zuma obtained a 15-month sentence final yr after he ignored directions to take part in a corruption inquiry.

He handed himself in on July 7 final yr to start his sentence, triggering the worst violence South Africa had seen in years as his offended supporters took to the streets.

“It’s OFFICIAL. H.E President Zuma is now a FREE man,” the Jacob Zuma Basis mentioned in a tweet.

In September 2021, Zuma was launched on medical parole however in December, the Excessive Court docket put aside the parole choice and ordered him to return to jail. Zuma appealed the ruling and remained on parole pending the enchantment end result.

His enchantment had not been decided by the point his sentence expired.

“Mr Zuma complied together with his circumstances for medical parole as set out throughout his placement,” the Division of Correctional Companies mentioned in a press release.

“All administrative processes have now been concluded and the sentence expiry date marks the top of him serving his sentence underneath neighborhood corrections.”