Zuma and Shaik dance all over the Rule of Law
28 November 2022
Last Friday, former President Jacob Zuma and Schabir Shaik, both released on medical parole, were healthy enough to attend a VIP ceremonial ribbon cutting of a new restaurant called ‘Zuma’.
In viral social media posts, Zuma and Shaik were seen showing off their dance moves, with Zuma also cutting the ribbon to officially open the new restaurant.
The Media Thought They Would Meet On The Golf Course But They Met At Zuma Restaurant
— Dudu Zuma-Sambudla (@DZumaSambudla) November 25, 2022
(Now You Know I Had To Give The Haters Chest Pains...) pic.twitter.com/fHUBr0s86U
Jacob Zuma was released on medical parole late last year, just two months into his fifteen-month sentence. Schabir Shaik was released on medical parole in 2009, just two years into his fifteen-year sentence due to him being supposedly terminally ill.
It has become increasingly clear that the decisions to release Zuma and Shaik on medical parole were politically motivated, thereby making a mockery of the parole system. The actions of Zuma and Shaik demonstrate a shameless and flagrant disregard for the rule of law and our Constitutional democracy. By attending this event, Zuma and Shaik demonstrated their belief that they are above the law and all accountability mechanisms.
It is clear that Zuma and Shaik were never legitimately ill enough to warrant being granted medical parole. By Zuma and Shaik appearing in public as supposed VIPs, they are demonstrating the contempt with which they hold the ordinary public.
The DA will not allow this injustice to continue. The party has launched our own court action to ensure that Zuma returns to prison to finish his sentence. The DA’s review of Zuma’s medical parole has already achieved success. In the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) last week, the court overturned the decision of Arthur Fraser to release Zuma on medical parole.
It is clear that Zuma needs to return to prison without delay, and a review of Shaik's parole should also be considered.
The era of impunity for Zuma and his cronies is over. The DA will ensure that Zuma returns to prison and serves out the remainder of his sentence.
Issued by Glynnis Breytenbach, DA Shadow Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, 28 November 2022
