Zuma welcomes the appeal of the medical parole decision

Zuma surrendered to police in July of last year and was released on medical parole two months later by former national Correctional Services department head Arthur Fraser.

The SCA upheld a lower court’s decision on Monday, saying the department must decide how to proceed with Zuma’s incarceration.

The Department of Correctional Services, according to Singabakho Nxumalo, reached its decision after carefully reviewing the SCA decision.

He stated that the department is confident that another court will reach a different conclusion.

Correctional Services, according to Nxumalo, was considering this course based on the interpretation and obligation of the Correctional Services Act and other relevant prescripts.

Mzwanele Manyi, spokesperson for the Jacob Zuma Foundation, stated that the department did the right thing because they believe the SCA erred in its judgement.

“One of the issues we have is the court said the period served on parole must be redefined as it is not a sentence itself. The fact is that when you are on parole, you are still a prisoner and still under supervision.

“The other issue we have with the judgment is that it makes it seem like Arthur Fraser did not consider medical reports in granting medical parole. In fact, he considered three medical reports, but this was overlooked.”

Manyi stated that Zuma was confident that a different court would reach a different conclusion.

“We agree with Correctional Services that the judgment needs to be appealed and we are confident another court will come to a different decision,” said Manyi.

Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt of court last year by the Constitutional Court for failing to appear before the Zondo commission of inquiry into corruption.

He was released on medical parole after serving less than two months.