Following the completion of his prison term for contempt of court, former South African President Jacob Zuma was released, the government department announced on Friday.
After refusing to comply with requests to take part in a corruption investigation, Zuma was given a 15-month term last year.
In order to begin his sentence, he turned himself in on July 7 of last year. As his enraged followers took to the streets, this led to the worst rioting South Africa has seen in years.
“It is now OPEN. Now that President Zuma is free, “In a tweet, the Jacob Zuma Foundation stated.
In September 2021, Zuma received a medical parole release. However, the supreme court overturned the parole judgment in December and mandated that he be sent back to prison.
Zuma challenged the decision and was allowed to remain on parole pending the outcome.
When his sentence was up, the outcome of his appeal was still pending.
The Correctional Services department issued a statement saying, “Mr. Zuma met with his criteria for medical parole as set forth during his placement.”
The sentence expiration date signals the end of the man’s time serving his sentence through community corrections because all administrative procedures have been completed.
