Prison sentence ends for S.Africa's ex-leader Zuma

Prison sentence ends for S.Africa's ex-leader Zuma

Zuma was handed a 15-month sentence for contempt of court but only spent two months behind bars
Zuma was handed a 15-month sentence for contempt of court but only spent two months behind bars. Photo: Emmanuel Croset / AFP
Source: AFP

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!

The prison sentence of beleaguered ex-South African president Jacob Zuma officially ended on Friday, with correctional services saying he had been released from their system having served only part of his term behind bars.

The former head of state was jailed for 15 months for contempt of court in July last year after refusing to testify before a graft inquiry -- but was released on medical parole two months later.

"It is a day of mixed emotions," Zuma said in a statement on Friday, thanking his supporters for speaking out against what he said was an "unjust and cruel incarceration."

"I am relieved to be free again to walk around and do whatever I want to do without restrictions."

Read also

One dead in unrest at Argentina soccer match: official

He compared his release to the day in 1973 when he walked out of Cape Town's notorious Robben Island prison, where he had been jailed as an apartheid-era political prisoner with Nelson Mandela.

The 80-year-old was granted parole after being admitted to hospital for an undisclosed condition.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app!

A court later ordered him back to jail, but he managed to remain out as appeal proceedings dragged on.

"All administrative processes have now been conducted and the sentence expiry date marks the end of him serving his sentence," the Department of Correctional Services said in a statement.

Zuma's jailing last year sparked riots that descended into looting and left more than 350 dead in the worst violence to hit the country since the advent of democracy in South Africa.

Last month, he announced he was ready to make a political comeback at the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party's internal conference in December where the top seats will be hotly contested.

Read also

Demonstrators rally in support of new Burkina Faso leader

Zuma is a divisive figure whose name resonates with graft for most South Africans but remains a hero to many grassroots ANC members.

He is still facing separate corruption charges over an arms deal dating back more than two decades.

New feature: Сheck out news that is picked for YOU ➡️ find “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.