OPPOSITION parties have criticised the remission of sentence given to former president Jacob Zuma on Friday, 11 August.
They called it a "political solution", a "tragedy" and a "farce" that will undermine the country's criminal justice system.
Minister of Correctional Services Ronald Lamola announced on Friday, 11 August that more than 9 400 prisoners will receive special remission on Friday, 11 August, including Zuma.
The former president reported to the prison in Estcourt, KZN, on Friday morning for the remission to be processed and was out within an hour.
He was to serve the rest of his 15-month prison for contempt of court after he was unlawfully being given medical parole and was due to be released in 2021.
Opposition parties accused Ramaphosa of being reckless with the country's security.
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ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba said the president had made a mockery of the country's justice system by ensuring that Zuma would not have to serve another prison sentence.
He said the decision to release more than 9 000 prisoners on remission was a farce to cover up Ramaphosa's and the ANC's efforts to ensure Zuma did not serve any time in prison.
“ActionSA rejects with contempt President Ramaphosa’s political solution to former President Zuma’s reincarceration, which has seen the release of 9,488 criminals back into society to save Zuma,” he said.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) said it would take legal action to challenge the decision.
The DA's Shadow Minister for Justice and Correctional Services Glynnis Breytenbach said the mass release was designed with Zuma in mind so he doesn't return to prison. He said it was a disgrace to the country's criminal justice system.
"The fact that the remission comes into effect today, on the same day that Zuma returns to prison to be processed, is a clear indication of what really happened. If this decision were not a tragic deconstruction of the principle of equality before the law, it could well pass for a comedy show," she said.
She said the fact that Zuma is not even on parole highlights the complete lack of accountability for high-profile ANC politicians.
However, the African National Congress in KZN welcomed the announcement. ANC provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo said he welcomed the fact that the department had followed due process in dealing with the matter.
“We want to pause and salute the president of the country, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, for doing what is in the best interest of the country by granting a special remission paving the way for the release of President Jacob Zuma.
“We pause to salute the department for meticulously following due process in the management of this matter,” he said.
GOOD secretary-general Brett Herron said: “Although the timing of his and the 9 000 other prisoners, will be questioned, we cannot deny that former president Jacob Zuma falls into the category of 'elderly and vulnerable' and is a non-violent offender. Our former president still faces serious criminal charges for which the remission programme should not apply if he is convicted and sentenced to prison."
The national correctional services commissioner, Samuel Thobakgale, said a full list of those who benefited from the "special remission" will be released by the end of the day.
Thobakgale said that while Zuma will not be on parole, the department will keep in touch with all prisoners who have received remission.
