Jacob Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison by the Constitutional Court for contempt, for failing to appear before the state capture inquiry and answer questions. In a statement, the Correctional Services Department said Zuma’s medical parole’s eligibility is impelled by a medical report received by the department. “Apart from being terminally ill and physically incapacitated, inmates suffering from an illness that severely limits their daily activity or self-care can also be considered for medical parole. “Medical parole placement for Jacob Zuma means that he will complete the remainder of the sentence in the system of community corrections, whereby he must comply with a specific set of conditions and will be subjected to supervision until his sentence expires.”

The Congress of the People (Cope) has condemned a decision to grant Jacob Zuma medical parole. The party’s Denis Bloem described the decision to grant Zuma medical parole as unacceptable. “Placing former President Jacob Zuma on parole makes a mockery of the parole system in this country. It is quite clear that Jacob Zuma received preferential treatment from day one from the Department of Correctional Services.” Bloem added its clear Zuma received preferential treatment.