Former President Jacob Zuma has been placed on medical parole because of ill health. The Department of Correctional Services says the decision to grant Zuma medical parole was informed by a medical report it had received. Zuma is serving a 15-month- jail sentence for contempt of court after ignoring the Constitutional Court to appear before the State Capture Commission. He was admitted to hospital soon after his incarceration on 8 July.

In a statement, the Correctional Services Department said Zuma’s medical parole’s eligibility is impelled by a medical report received by the department. “Apart from being terminally ill and physically incapacitated, inmates suffering from an illness that severely limits their daily activity or self-care can also be considered for medical parole.null

“Medical parole placement for Mr Zuma means that he will complete the remainder of the sentence in the system of community corrections, whereby he must comply with specific set of conditions and will be subjected to supervision until his sentence expires.”

The decision has been condemned by some.

The Congress of the People (Cope) has said the decision to grant Jacob Zuma medical parole is unacceptable.

Denis Bloem of Cope said, “Placing former President Jacob Zuma on parole makes a mockery of the parole system in this country. It is quite clear that Jacob Zuma received preferential treatment from day one from the Department of Correctional Services.”

Bloem added its that it was clear Jacob Zuma received preferential treatment.

Full Statement Below