Zuma is a free man, 15 months prison term has ended

After serving his 15-month term, former president Jacob Zuma says he is overcome with emotions. He is now a free man once more. The Constitutional Court sentenced Zuma to 15 months in prison in July 2021 for contempt of court.

He was imprisoned for two months at the Escourt Correctional Centre. He then received medical parole from former prisons chief Arthur Fraser and served the majority of his term at his home in Nkandla.

“It’s a day of conflicting feelings. In the same way that I felt in 1973 when I was released from Robben Island. I feel relieved to be free to move around and do anything I want without limitations and having to ask for permission, said Zuma.

“Only this time, I’m feeling sad as well. It was the first time ever that a sentence of imprisonment was imposed by the Constitutional Court without a trial. In the era of freedom and democracy that we have worked so hard to establish, I never expected this to occur.

After serving his 15-month prison sentence for contempt of court, Zuma was declared free on Thursday. This is according to the Department of Correctional Services.

Singabakho Nxumalo, the spokesperson, stated: “Due to the severity of his medical condition, he (Zuma) was subsequently placed on medical parole. He got parole on 5 September 2021.

He had spent two months in jail at the time. Mr. Zuma was ordered to complete the remainder of his sentence through Kranskop Community Corrections as a result of his medical parole placement.

In addition, the former president noted that several people had endured “a great deal of hardship as a result of speaking out against my brutal and unjust detention.”

For their “battle for human dignity and justice, which are among the values and principles we all fought for when we worked to liberate our country,” he continued to thank them.

Zuma expresses gratitude

I want to express my sincere gratitude to South Africans from all areas of life for their strong support and love during a particularly tough time. The phone calls, visits, and encouraging words on social media and other platforms helped me stay motivated and strong such that those attempting to undermine my spirit and commitment failed. I also value the prayer sessions and other get-togethers that were planned for me while I was incarcerated. These greatly inspired and lifted my family and me,” Zuma stated.

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