Zuma latest: JZ could be released this week for brother’s funeral

Former president Jacob Zuma might leave the Estcourt Correctional Centre, temporarily that is, so he can attend the funeral of his brother Michael Zuma, Sunday World reports. Nothing has been set in stone yet, however, as the publication claims the Zuma family’s lawyers have filed an urgent application to have the former president released so he can bid his brother farewell.

“The funeral will be held some time this week and we hope by then my brother will have been granted permission to attend the funeral. He is the remaining elder and the deceased is his blood,” family spokesperson Khanya Zuma is quoted as having said.

Michael Zuma 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 held at the KZN facility, where he is serving 15 months for a contempt of court conviction and could be eligible for parole in less than four months.

Possible clashes between law enforcement and Zuma supporters?

According to Sunday World, the major worry now is how law enforcement officers will be able to avoid a hostile confrontation from Jacob Zuma supporters at the funeral. If there’s one thing that is certain, it’s that the former president still enjoys major support, despite not being in office anymore.

The publication claims cabinet’s security cluster is concerned about the possibility of Zuma supporters forming a human shield, as they did in Nkandla, ahead of his arrest.

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.