THE Jacob Zuma Foundation has criticised the Supreme Court of Appeal’s ruling on the former president’s medical parole.
It said the decision to dismiss his parole appeal was targeting him as an individual.
“For the second time in as many years, the courts have convinced Zuma and sentenced him to imprisonment without the benefit of a criminal trial, which is afforded to even the worst criminals,” the foundation said in a statement.
On Monday, 21 November, the Bloemfontein court dismissed Zuma’s appeal against the setting aside of his parole by the High Court in Tshwane.
It found that Arthur Fraser did not have the powers to grant parole, and set aside the decision.
Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison by the Constitutional Court for contempt after he refused to testify at the state capture inquiry. He only served two at the Estcourt Correctional Centre in KZN before his release.
The foundation said although the judges fell short of granting an order for him to be sent back to prison, they hinted it could be one of the options available. And this was despite the fact that the sentence expired almost two months ago.
“This is an act of injustice. It is nothing but an exercise in cruelty and degrading punishment. A person cannot be punished twice for the same offence.”
It said Zuma consulted his legal team to advise him on his options.
