[imagesource: Wikimedia Commons]

When Jacob Zuma was taken to Estcourt Correctional Centre last year, millions of South Africans celebrated. Finally, a modicum of justice had been served and the crook-in-chief was headed to the slammer.

Then South Africa experienced massive unrest, violence, and looting, and Zuma was soon released on the dodgiest medical parole since Schabir Shaik after serving just two months of his 15-month sentence.

He can thank Correctional Services Commissioner Arthur Fraser for that one, who has a long-standing relationship with Zuma and a longer-standing relationship with dishonesty.

All of this brings us to yesterday and the latest salvo in the quest to send Zuma back to the slammer. Essentially, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) confirmed that Fraser’s granting of parole was unlawful, with these basics via News24:

The SCA’s unanimous judgment, which was written by Judge Tati Makgoka, makes it clear that the invalidation of Fraser’s decision to grant Zuma medical parole means that he “has not finished serving his sentence” for contempt of the Constitutional Court.

“He must return to the Estcourt Correctional Centre to do so. Whether the time spent by Mr Zuma on unlawfully granted medical parole should be taken into account in determining the remaining period of his incarceration, is not a matter for this court to decide,” the SCA said.

So Zuma’s going back to jail? Pop the bottles, justice!

Well, not so fast. The Medical Parole Advisory Board (MPAB) can still recommend Zuma remain outside of the confines of prison if there’s a radical deterioration in his condition, for example, but that is “highly unlikely”.

I wonder if there are any bookies taking bets regarding a new ailment suddenly afflicting our former president and current criminal:

When asked by a journalist at a media briefing last month if he would take into consideration his alleged ill health and age if he chose to contest the ANC’s December elective conference, Zuma reportedly responded:

“What’s wrong with the health, just tell me, what’s wrong with the health? Looking at me, am I in the bed lying in a hospital?”

The countdown to photos of Zuma in bed, stricken, begins.

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the former president’s daughter who is perhaps best known for encouraging last year’s violence, was back on her bullshit before and as soon as the SCA decision was announced.

We See You…

(Just Practicing)

— Dudu Zuma-Sambudla (@DZumaSambudla) November 21, 2022

Oksalayo…We Are Not Going Back!!!

— Dudu Zuma-Sambudla (@DZumaSambudla) November 21, 2022

The Time Is Coming When We Will Have To Take Matters Into Our Own Hands

— Dudu Zuma-Sambudla (@DZumaSambudla) November 21, 2022

That ‘we see you’ chirp is a clear reference to her tweets during the unrest and looting last year, where she egged on looting and violence.

For an in-depth analysis of all the legalese and how this is likely to play out, read this, but we’ll pluck a few quotes from EWN regarding Zuma’s options:

 Constitutional law expert Pierre de Vos says former president Jacob Zuma still has some legal recourse in a bid to stay out of jail.

De Vos says Zuma can still appeal the SCA ruling.

“Yes that’s the last opportunity for him to try to stay out of jail but of course once he serves a quarter of his sentence, then he can try and get parole like any other prisoner. It is not a right. It is a privilege.”

I’m sure some dodgy businessman will fork out the dosh needed to delay, delay, and delay, and he’ll never see the inside of a prison cell again.

In the meantime, get ready for loads of chat from rival political parties welcoming the SCA’s decision and bugger-all action ever being taken.

[sources:news24&ewn]