Johannesburg, Dec 15, (dpa/GNA) – South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma must return to prison, a court in Pretoria ruled on Wednesday, after finding that his release on health grounds was unlawful.
Zuma began a 15-month prison sentence for contempt of court at the beginning of July, but was released on September 5 on the orders of the chief correctional officer.
The court said the official had disregarded the legal requirement, for a prior hearing of a panel of medical experts.
Zuma is due to appear before a commission of enquiry, over corruption allegations from his time in office, from 2009 to 2018.
However, he had failed to comply with several summonses, leading to to 15 months jail time for contempt of court.
The sentence sparked the worst violence seen in South Africa since the end of apartheid, as his supporters rioted and looted businesses across Zuma’s native KwaZulu-Natal province, leaving more than 300 dead.
Zuma is accused of corruption, money laundering and fraud, in connection with a multibillion-dollar arms deal. He denies the charges and has repeatedly attempted to have the case thrown out. If found guilty, he faces up to 25 years in prison.
GNA