Former President Jacob Zuma will be allowed to attend his brother’s funeral on Thursday. This, after he was granted compassionate leave according to the Department of Correctional Services.

In a statement released on Twitter on Thursday morning, the department confirmed the decision.

The former President is serving 15 months of incarceration. He was charged with contempt of court over his refusal to appear before the State Capture Inquiry chaired by Raymond Zondo, who is currently acting Chief Justice.

Zuma’s brother, Michael, died last week at the age of 77 coinciding with Zuma’s arrest.

The funeral was to take place last weekend but was delayed in order for Zuma to apply for leave to attend the funeral.

The 79-year-old will not be required to wear his prison uniform when attending the send-off.

The department’s Singabakho Nxumalo said in the statement “A sentenced offender who’s granted permission to leave a correctional centre remains a sentenced offender even while temporarily outside. This permission granted to Mr. Zuma is for the 22nd of July, 2021. When outside the correctional facility, inmates need not wear offender uniform, as a short-term, low-risk classified inmate.”

Media Statement issued by the Department of Correctional Services | 22 July 2021 | Former President Zuma Granted Compassionate Leave pic.twitter.com/rblSublUJT

— Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services ???????? (@Min_JCS) July 22, 2021

The permission will not extend beyond Thursday.

This past week has been wrought with civil unrest as thousands of people began trashing and looting across Kwa-Zulu Natal that would eventually lead to Johannesburg and parts of Tshwane as well.

Trucks were burnt and warehouses destroyed all in the name of the former President. Though many claimed they were simply hungry.

Reports have since emerged that a plan to destabilize South Africa is in play with at least 12 people named as potential instigators of the recent unrest. Five of the 12 have been arrested to date.

Messages from a Whatsapp group surfaced last week implicating many ANC members who have all denied the allegations saying their phones had been hacked.