Former President Jacob Zuma
Photo by: Reuters
The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal claims that the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) wants “to prove a point" by having former President Jacob Zuma re-arrested.
The SCA upheld the High Court’s finding that Zuma’s medical parole was illegal and ruled that he should go back to jail to finish his sentence.
Speaking to Polity, KZN ANC chairperson Siboniso Duma claimed that South Africa’s justice system benefitted the rich.
“There is something called the ideological super-structure where the justice system has been used in our country to benefit the few or the minorities who are rich. So by principle, if you live in South Africa and you have more resources, then you are likely not to go to jail but if you come from a poor background or are regarded as a have not, then you will be suppressed and persecuted,” he said.
According to Duma, Zuma followed due processes and went to prison, but he says the SCA is now suggesting that some of the processes were not followed.
He accused the DA of being complicit and said the party was blind to serious crime.
He specifically referenced the Steinhoff matter, and said it was still not taken to court and that instead the Constitution was being abused and protecting a certain class in the country.
“President Zuma has just turned 80 years old, and someone of that age who did not kill anyone, someone who followed the due processes can just be sent to jail. I don’t think in this regard justice was justified because at this point we are being served with an injustice as a potential of derailing our democracy lingers on. We thought that it is correct at this point in time that President Zuma remains a South African citizen who fought for this country and is deserving of a proper bill of rights,” said Duma.
He went on to say that there was no gain in sending Zuma back to jail because as he had made a positive contribution to his community while he was out on parole.
He also cited Zuma’s ill health.
Duma said it did not make sense that someone like Janusz WaluĊ deserves parole.