Medical parole? Jacob Zuma out and about at Durban casino
If South Africans know one thing all too well, it’s that despite countless criminal charges and allegations, former president Jacob Zuma always seems to be able to get away with it. After being sentenced to 15 months behind bars for ignoring a Constitutional Court order, medical parole seemed to be his saving grace. Even NPA doctors had strong doubts whether Zuma was ill. Now, Zuma has been seen out and about visiting a casino in Durban.
Jacob Zuma spotted at a Durban casino
According to the Sunday Times, Zuma was caught on camera in public for the first time since being granted parole. The part that’s raising eyebrows though, (well, on top of his parole in the first place) is the fact that he was in a casino.
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The newspaper says it sent a photographer to the Sibaya Casino in Durban, after receiving a tip-off that Zuma was holding a “meeting”. Who was that meeting with? None other than Carl Niehaus and Dudu Myeni. A great bunch overall, clearly.
On Thursday, Zuma told crowds gathered outside his Nkandla homestead, that he could only speak to them via video link. All because of how “strict” his bail conditions were.
Are casinos allowed under medical parole?
The Department of Correctional Services says that Zuma’s casino visit was above board. It says that Zuma made a request to leave his home and travel to another town. And, that request was approved by the department official handling his case.
Parolees are allowed to leave their homes and do things like go to restaurants. They just aren’t allowed to consume any illegal substances.
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With a casino trip technically being allowed, this fiasco is sure to add more pressure on the calls for Zuma’s parole conditions to be made public.
The question stands, if you can visit a casino for a meeting, are you really too sick for jail?
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