Ramaphosa welcomes Zuma’s medical parole

This after the Department of Correctional Services confirmed the 79-year-old ailing politician would serve the remainder of his 15-month jail term at home.

Zuma was booked into a military hospital last month, weeks after he started serving his sentence at the Estcourt prison in KwaZulu-Natal for contempt of court.

The move to place Zuma on parole has been widely criticised by opposition parties but the ANC welcomed the move.

“We have also received and taken note of the decision by correctional services and the national commissioner to release Comrade Jacob Zuma from incarceration on medical parole. We welcome this,” Ramaphosa said on Monday afternoon.

Ramaphosa made the remarks while delivering the closing remarks address at the governing party’s NEC lekgotla. 

Zuma’s undisclosed ailment also remains at the centre of discussion ahead of the start of arms deal corruption trial. 

“We understand that he is not well, and our thoughts and prayers are with him,” Ramaphosa added. 

Zuma is yet to be discharged from hospital.