As the Department of Correctional Services dithers, Zuma hides out in Russia

20 July 2023

The DA has noted that former President Jacob Zuma has extended his stay in Russia. This is seemingly in anticipation of an outstanding announcement from the Department of Correctional Services as to whether Zuma must return to prison to serve out the remainder of his sentence.

The DA believes that President Zuma is now extending his stay in Russia in anticipation of an adverse announcement from the Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Makgothi Thobakgale. This follows last week’s Constitutional Court ruling which dismissed the Department of Correctional Services application for leave to appeal the Supreme Court of Appeal’s (SCA) ruling that Zuma must return to prison as his early release on medical parole was unlawful.

The uncertainty which now surrounds the details of former President Zuma’s return to prison is causing anxiety across the nation and must be brought to an end without further delay.

There is an urgent need for Jacob Zuma to return to jail, after he was found to have been in contempt of the Constitutional Court. The rule of law applies to all in South Africa, and President Zuma’s return to prison is essential for restoring full confidence in our judiciary and the principle of equality before the law.

The DA will be writing to the National Commissioner of Correctional Services to urge him to act swiftly in making a decision on Zuma’s return to prison, and the timeline in which this will occur. We will further remind him that his decision should be fully constitutional, lawful and rational, by placing the interests of South Africa and its justice system ahead of narrow political concerns.

Should the final decision of the Department be illegal or irregular, the DA will not hesitate to take further action to ensure that the judgement of the Constitutional Court is upheld, and that Zuma serves out the remainder of his term.

The uncertainty surrounding Zuma’s incarceration must now be resolved. The DA will be doing everything within its power to ensure that Jacob Zuma finally faces the consequences of his actions.

Issued by Glynnis Breytenbach, DA Shadow Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, 20 July 2023