CAPE TOWN: Former South African President Jacob Zuma, who recently had a court ruling upholding his return to prison, is currently in Russia for medical treatment, according to his spokesman.
Zuma’s spokesperson, Mzwanele Manyi, stated that the trip to Russia was for health reasons and emphasized that it was a private visit and not a secret, responding to media reports about the trip. Manyi added that Zuma would return to South Africa once his medical treatment is completed.
The constitutional court of South Africa upheld a ruling on Thursday that Zuma should serve a 15-month prison term for contempt of court. However, it remains unclear whether Zuma will voluntarily return to custody. Prison authorities are currently studying the judgment and seeking legal advice on the matter.
Jacob Zuma Served as President of South Africa From 2009 to 2018
Jacob Zuma served as the president of South Africa from 2009 to 2018 before being compelled to step down due to corruption scandals. In June 2021, he was sentenced to prison for refusing to testify before a panel investigating corruption allegations during his presidency. Zuma was released on medical parole after only two months, a decision that was subsequently overturned and has now been confirmed by the court. Additionally, he faces separate charges of corruption related to an arms procurement scandal in the late 1990s, during his tenure as vice president.
Recently, Zuma attended a conference on carbon credits in Zimbabwe, where he represented a Belarusian company and announced a donation of seven million credits for the country’s new market. Belarus, a close ally of Russia, is often described as Europe’s last dictatorship and faces Western scrutiny and actions against its leadership.
Zuma is part of a generation of anti-apartheid activists who had the support of the Soviet Union during their struggle and maintain political or personal connections with Moscow.
