Smoke and mirrors as Ramaphosa undermines the rule of law by releasing Zuma
11 August 2023
This morning South Africans witnessed a new low in the way the ANC government plays fast and loose with the ‘Rule of Law’ and the criminal justice system as a whole. The early morning press conference announcing that former president Jacob Zuma has been released on special remission was nothing more than smoke and mirrors. It has now emerged that Zuma spent less than two hours in prison prior to his release.
A somewhat bashful Minister of Justice, Ronald Lamola, rose to make a ham-fisted attempt to defend a decision that effectively allows Jacob Zuma to walk in the front door of prison, and immediately walk right out again.
This is a monumental insult to each and every South African. What occurred this morning was an outrageous early release of Jacob Zuma by President Cyril Ramaphosa under the false pretence of ‘special remissions’.
This elaborate scheme, devised only to let a single man out of prison, means that over 9400 convicted criminals will be let out of prison– simply to avoid the reincarceration of Mr. Zuma. It is further insulting that Zuma will not even be kept under the system of parole further highlighting the complete lack of accountability which now exists for senior ANC politicians.
The confluence of coincidences is simply too great to be convincing. This entire scheme was devised with one aim in mind – to ensure that Zuma does not spend any time in prison. There is nobody in South Africa that believes the special remissions process was approved by Ramaphosa independently of Zuma’s anticipated return to prison. This decision has nothing to do overcrowding, and everything to do with preventing Zuma from facing accountability for his actions.
It is hardly surprising that the announcement was postponed repeatedly, the actual event was a complete disaster. No one can honestly believe that this is anything but a sly and devious process to subvert the functioning of the criminal justice system.
The Minister has in effect admitted very publicly that the two departments for which he is responsible – Justice and Correctional Services – no longer function and require scandalous trickery to give the appearance of legitimacy.
This decision is an absolute disgrace, and all South Africans should be outraged at what has occurred.
The fact that the remission comes into effect today – the same day on which Zuma returns to prison to be “processed” is a clear indication of what has really occurred. Were this decision not a tragic deconstruction of the principle of Equality before the Law, it would well pass for a comedy show.
The precedent has been clearly set. If you are a senior ANC member, you will never be held accountable for your crimes under President Cyril Ramaphosa or any ANC government.
Accountability for senior ANC leaders is nothing but a mirage.
The DA will be seeking to take further legal action to challenge this abomination of a decision.
Just when we thought that the ANC could sink no lower, they surprised us.
Issued Glynnis Breytenbach, DA Shadow Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, 11 August 2023
