A South African high court has ordered Jacob Zuma, the 79-years old former president of South Africa back to jail on Wednesday to serve the remainder of his 15-months sentence, Reuters reports say.
In September, Mr Zuma had begun his medical parole and was also serving his 15-months sentence for contempt of court following his refusal to appear for a corruption enquiry.
The Pretoria high court ordered that Mr Zuma be returned to the custody of the department of correctional services to serve the remaining of his 15-months sentence after setting aside an earlier decision for his release on medical parole.
“It is hereby directed that the third respondent be returned to the custody of the department of correctional services to serve out the remainder of his sentence of imprisonment. It is declared the time the third respondent was out of jail on medical parole should not be counted for the fulfilment of the third respondent’s sentence of 15 months imposed by the Constitutional Court,” the judgement said.
Mr Zuma was convicted in July. after serving less than two months. He was granted medical parole which began in September. A South African court earlier dismissed an application by Zuma seeking to overturn his sentence.
What you should know
- Mr Zuma was the president of South Africa from 2009 to 2018. He was accused of receiving 791 payments, totalling $284,000, between 1995 and 2004.
- Zuma’s sentence led to an uproar of violence by his supporters who took to the street looting and vandalising shopping outlets.