By Hajira Khota

The news that former President Jacob Zuma will be sent back to prison after his medical parole was found illegal sparked widespread concern among South Africans, who feared that the verdict would lead to another round of looting.

Zuma, 79, was sentenced in June to 15 months in prison for contempt of court after ignoring instructions to participate in a corruption inquiry.

More than 360 people died the last time Zuma was imprisoned, the economy lost R50 billion, and 150 000 jobs were gone. Arthur Fraser, the national commissioner of correctional services, justified his unlawful decision to grant Zuma medical parole by claiming that his detention would have dire implications and may have ignited events similar to that of July 2021. President Cyril Ramaphosa made a vital point on Friday, July 16: those who initiated the uprising may try their hand again.

Professor Andre Duvenhage spoke to Radio Islam International; he says that Zuma should remain in prison.

“Zuma is healthy and taking is taking in political activity”.

Last week, the North Gauteng High Court set aside the decision to grant Zuma medical parole saying it was unlawful. The court ordered that he be taken back into custody.

Zuma and his legal team can now head to the Supreme Court of Appeal. They are hoping that it will make a different finding to that of the High Court.

Duvenhage says that there is a lot of evidence as he in undermining the commission and the role that Fraser played in this.

Zuma’s 2009-18 presidency was marred by allegations of corruption and wrongdoing. He faces a separate corruption trial linked to his sacking as deputy president in 2005 when he was implicated in a $2bn allegedly corrupt arms deal. He denies wrongdoing in all cases and says he is the victim.

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