Zikalala mum on push for Zuma’s presidential pardon, says ex-president is in high spirits

Former President Jacob Zuma is in good health and high spirits, says KwaZulu-Natal premier, Sihle Zikalala.

Zikalala attended the funeral of Zuma’s brother Michael in Nkandla on Thursday afternoon.

Zuma was also there after he was granted compassionate leave to attend the burial.

However, Zikalala, who is the governing party’s KZN chairperson, would not be drawn into whether the ANC in the province is pushing for a presidential pardon for Zuma.

“He is in good health and in good spirit he came to be part of the funeral and pay his last respect to his brother and I think we should applaud and thank the Correctional Services for ensuring that he participate in the send off his young brother we have made our point clear and we have made our submissions in terms of the engagement and I think it is better that the authorities such as the Minister and the Presidency handles that matter,” says Zikalala.

Zikalala attends Zuma’s brother’s funeral:

Zuma is currently serving his 15-month prison sentence for contempt of court at the Estcourt Correctional Centre.

Earlier, his supporters descended on the ANC offices in Durban, demanding his immediate release.

They also called for the prosecution of those involved in the killing of people in Phoenix.

They dispersed after delivering their memorandum of demands:

The former president has returned to his cell.

Security was tight at his brother’s funeral, with the media not allowed within the precinct of Michael Zuma’s funeral service.

#sabcnews #sabckzn Security is tight in Nkandla with various police units stationed few kilometers away from Zuma’s home where funeral service of former president Jacob Zuma’s brother Michael is underway. pic.twitter.com/v06CwXT62N

— Nonkululeko Hlophe (@Leko3) July 22, 2021

#sabcnews #sabckzn Vehicles of a local funeral parlour carrying the remains of the young brother of former president, Michael Zuma have also arrived. Two hours ago the former president Jacob Zuma’s convoy was seen heading to Michael’s home in Nkandla. pic.twitter.com/jbuFZ3tPqM

— Nonkululeko Hlophe (@Leko3) July 22, 2021