South Africa’s High Court ordered former President Jacob Zuma to return to jail after overturning the decision to put him on medical parole, a court ruling showed Wednesday.
The 79-year-old began medical probation in September and is serving a 15-month sentence for contempt of court. Zuma turned himself in on July 7 to begin his prison sentence.
The Pretoria Superior Court ordered that Zuma, 79, “be returned to the custody of the Department of Correctional Services” to serve the remainder of his 15-month sentence.
Zuma, who was convicted of contempt of court earlier this year, was released on medical parole after serving less than two months in jail. The Helen Suzman Foundation contested the decision.
Zuma’s incarceration in July was the catalyst for the worst civil unrest in South Africa since the country’s first non-racial elections in 1994.
The violence left at least 354 dead.
Zuma can appeal Wednesday’s ruling.
The rand was trading 0.5% weaker at 16.1587 to the dollar as of 10:37 am in Johannesburg.
Reuters / NAN
