AfriForum Accuses DCSof Giving Jacob Zuma Special Treatment After Ex-president’s Release on Special Remission

AfriForum Accuses DCSof Giving Jacob Zuma Special Treatment After Ex-president’s Release on Special Remission

  • The Department of Correctional Services' decision to release former president Jacob Zuma on special remission has a rubbed AfriForum the wrong way
  • Zuma was released from Estcourt prison 90 minutes after he handed himself over to the correctional facility
  • AfriForum criticised the move climbing it exhibited that ANC cadres are above the rule of law in South Africa

PRETORIA - AfriForum is riled up after former President Jacob Zuma was released from the Estcourt prison only hours after he handed himself over to the authorities.

Afriforum has accused the DCS of helping former president Jacob Zuma escape Justice by releasing him on special remission.
Civil rights group AfriForum is outraged that DCS released Former President Jacob Zuma from prison on special remission. Image: Chanin Nont & Ramin Talie
Source: Getty Images

The civil rights organisation has accused the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) of treating Jacob Zuma with kid gloves and affording him special treatment so soon after he returned to prison.

Jacob Zuma and over 9 000 other inmates released on remission

On Friday, 11 August, the DCS announced that Zuma and over 9000 other prisoners would be released from jail on special remission, News24 reported.

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Minister of Correctional Services Ronald Lamola said that the decision was made to address overcrowding issues in correctional facilities across South Africa.

AfriForum accuses DCS of helping Jacob Zuma evade justice

AfriForum is not pleased about the move and has accused the DCS of assisting the former president to avoid justice.

Ernest van Zyl, campaigns officer for strategy and content at Afriforum, did not mince his words when criticising the department, saying the decision proved that anyone affiliated with the ruling African National Congress (ANC) was clearly above the law, EWN reported.

Van Zyl slammed:

“It is clear that the ANC will ensure that none of its comrades ever serve time behind bars, even if it makes a mockery of the rule of law in this country."

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Jacob Zuma to learn his fate on return to prison as highly anticipated Correctional Services decision looms

South Africans divided by Jacob Zuma's release

Below are some comments:

@InhouseAgent4 said:

"Zuma remission sentence can be set aside by the court of law because it was irrational."

@Khumbu_M criticised:

"What’s so special about Jacob Zuma? Clear that the rule of law doesn’t apply to some people."

@cossykam claimed:

"This is what should have been done from the start. But no, we cheered the useless Fraser, who ended up putting Zuma in a deeper mess."

@mafete_ryz10285 added:

"DA must go to court again cause it seems as comrades they don’t get arrested, so South Africa, we need to get a new government where the rule of law will apply to each and every citizen of this country."

DA Called Jacob Zuma the Latest Fugitive From Justice, Sought Clarity on Arrest While He Was in Russia

In another story, Briefly News reported that while former President Jacob Zuma was in Russia receiving medical treatment, the Democratic Alliance (DA) wanted to know if he would be arrested anytime soon.

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K.O's note on South Africa's decay triggers political conversation and reflection

The DA has asked the Department of Correctional Services to give clarity on Zuma's possible imprisonment to complete his 15-month sentence.

The opposition party claimed that Zuma has become a fugitive because of his extended stay in Russia.

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Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Lerato Mutsila avatar

Lerato Mutsila (Current affairs editor) Lerato Mutsila is a journalist with 3 years of experience. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Pearson Institute of Higher Education in 2020, majoring in broadcast journalism, political science and communication. Lerato joined the Briefly News current affairs desk in August 2022. Mutsila is also a fellow of the 2021/2022 Young African Journalists Acceleration programme, which trained African journalists in climate journalism. You can contact Lerato at lerato.mutsila@breifly.co.za