Pardoning Jacob Zuma: Zikalala still waiting on Ramaphosa to decide

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala is sticking to his guns: He wants former president Jacob Zuma to be pardoned and released from prison, but all that is now in the hands of JZ’s successor, President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Zikalala was in Nkandla, KZN on Thursday afternoon, 22 July 2021, where he had attended the funeral service of former President Jacob Zuma’s younger brother, Michael, who passed away following an illness.

“I think it is better to leave those matters (presidential pardon) to authorities that are eligible to process that,” Zikalala said.

“We have made our point here and we have made our submission in terms of engagement, and I think it is better for the authorities such as the minister (of correctional services) and the Presidency,”

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala

Zuma is currently serving 15 months at the Estcourt Correctional Centre in KZN on a contempt of court conviction. He was granted compassionate leave by the Department of Correctional Services to attend his 77-year-old brother’s funeral.

Will Ramaphosa pardon Jacob Zuma?

For now, the ball is in President Cyril Ramaphosa it seems, as he has the prerogative to grant Jacob Zuma a pardon.

Zikalala, who also met with Zuma, says he is doing well.

“He is in good health and in good spirit he came to be part of the funeral and pay his last respect to his brother and I think we should applaud and thank the Correctional Services for ensuring that he participate in the send off his young brother,” he said.

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.