Former South African President Jacob Zuma has been released from prison after being given remission status. Low-risk and non-violent criminals are granted remission status.
According to Justice Minister Ronald Lamola, the remission decision was made to ease jail overpopulation.
He says that this “remission process” started in April.
Zuma handed himself over at Escourt prison, in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday, and was admitted into the system, South Africa’s Commissioner of Prisons Makgothi Thobakgale stated.
He was then released, the remission status was approved by President Cyril Ramaphosa to more than 9,00 low-risk prisoners
Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt of court in June 2021 after refusing to testify before a panel investigating financial malfeasance and cronyism during his administration.
Last November, an Appeal Court ruled that Zuma’s release was unlawful and ordered him to return to prison to complete his sentence.
