BREAKING: Jacob Zuma granted permission to attend brother’s funeral

Former president Jacob Zuma has been granted compassionate leave, so he can attend the funeral of brother, Michael Zuma, the Department of Correctional Services has confirmed.

According to the department, Zuma had filed a compassionate leave application late on Tuesday.

In a statement issued on Thursday morning, 22 July 2021, the department’s Singabakho Nxumalo said the permission was granted under Section 44 (1)(a) of the Correctional Services Act.

“A sentenced offender who is granted permission to leave a correctional centre remains a sentenced offender even while temporarily outside. The permission granted to Mr Zuma is for July 22, 2021,” Nxumalo said.

“When outside a correctional facility, inmates need not to wear offender uniform. As a short-term, low-risk classified inmate, Mr Zuma’s application for compassionate leave was processed and approved following the correctional services prescripts”

Singabakho Nxumalo, Correctional Services’ spokesperson

Jacob Zuma to bid farewell to his brother

Jacob Zuma’s brother Michael died on Sunday, 11 July 2021, after having not been well for some time. His passing came less than a week after his brother started serving his prison sentence. Zuma is being held at the Estcourt Correctional Centre in KwaZuu-Natal, where he is serving 15 months for a contempt of court conviction and could be eligible for parole in less than four months.

Sunday World had reported that the security cluster was concerned about a possible confrontation from Zuma supporters at the funeral. It is believed that the former president will attend the proceedings in the morning of Thursday and will be back in prison in the afternoon.

Here’s a recap: The Constitutional Court sentenced Zuma after finding him guilty of contempt – a decision that was in favour of the State Capture Commission. The commission, headed by Deputy Chief Justice (DCJ) Raymond Zondo, had approached the Constitutional Court   after Zuma refused to take the stand and answer to legions of corruption allegations – this was in violation of a previous order granted by the same court.