[imagesource: Abigail Javier / EWN]

Despite what the Department of Correctional Services might have said about Jacob Zuma being treated just like any other prisoner, there’s no doubt that a former president usually enjoys certain perks when behind bars.

Zuma, who says he willingly turned himself in but was really arrested after a long standoff with senior law enforcement figures, is serving his sentence at the Estcourt Correctional Centre in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.

One prisoner went as far as to say that Zuma would be “hero-worshipped” in a prison “which is considered a hotel”, with special meals brought to him.

It’s clearly a hotel that the former president isn’t too keen on, though. He was recently allowed out to attend his brother’s funeral, and now the Department of Correctional Services has said this morning that Zuma has been admitted to an outside hospital for medical observation.

Here’s TimesLIVE:

[He] has been medically supervised by staff from the SA Military Health Services since his admission at the Estcourt Correctional Centre.

“A routine observation prompted that Mr Zuma be taken for in-hospitalisation,” said spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo.

Zuma’s foundation said there was nothing to be alarmed about – yet:

The Foundation confirms the statement by Correctional Services that indeed H.E President Zuma is in Hospital outside the prison.
The 79 year old, 1st prisoner of the ConCourt, jailed without trial is attending to his annual medical routine check up. No need to be alarmed,…yet.

— JGZuma Foundation (Official) (@JGZ_Foundation) August 6, 2021

If you’re starting to get some Schabir Shaik-like medical parole vibes, you’re not alone.

The Department of Correctional Services says it’s merely following the letter of the law. Specifically, Section 35(2) of the Constitution:

“Everyone who is detained, including every sentenced prisoner, has the right to conditions of detention that are consistent with human dignity, including at least exercise and the provision, at state expense, of adequate accommodation, nutrition, reading material and medical treatment.”

Perhaps the fact that Zuma is due at the High Court in Pietermaritzburg next Tuesday (August 10), on charges of corruption related to a 1999 arms deal made with French company Thales, is also weighing on his mind.

Zuma was set to appear in person to face those charges, but you get the impression that will now be unlikely.

[source:timeslive]