Jacob Zuma Granted ‘Compassionate Leave’ From Prison To Attend Brother’s Funeral

Former South African President, Jacob Zuma, has been granted compassionate leave from prison to attend his brother’s funeral.

This was revealed by the nation’s government while noting the 79-year-old is not required to wear “offender uniform” outside correctional facilities.

Zuma is currently serving a 15 months sentence after ge turned himself in on July 8. Zuma was sentenced last month for court contempt.

His incarceration sparked riots and looting that escalated into the worst violence since the end of apartheid, killing at least 276 people, according to the official count.

“As a short-term, low-risk classified inmate, Mr Zuma’s application for compassionate leave was processed and approved,” the department of correctional services said in a statement quoted by AFP.

The funeral for Zuma’s brother Michael is expected to take place later on Thursday in Nkandla, where Zuma is particularly popular.

Zuma’s brother died aged 77 after a long illness, according to local media.

Inmates in South Africa are usually allowed to attend relatives’ funerals — a right denied to the country’s first black president Nelson Mandela when he was in jail for fighting the apartheid regime.

Zuma’s long-running corruption trial is expected to resume on August 10, despite his request to have the case postponed due to the pandemic and recent unrest.

After nine years in office, the charismatic ex-leader was ousted by the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party in 2018 over a mounting series of graft scandals.

He faces 16 charges of fraud, graft and racketeering, and has entered a not guilty plea.

He retains a fervent support base both within the ANC and among the general public.

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