Zuma granted compassionate leave to attend brother’s funeral on Thursday

The Department of Correctional Services says former President Jacob Zuma has been granted compassionate leave in order to attend to a family bereavement.

Zuma filed the application for compassionate leave to attend the funeral of his brother, Michael, who passed away last week following a long illness.

His funeral service is expected to take place in Nkandla on Thursday.

The former president is serving a 15-month sentence for contempt of court at the Estcourt Correctional Centre.

Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo says the permission granted to Zuma is only for Thursday.

“A sentenced offender who is granted permission to leave a correctional centre remains a sentenced offender even while temporarily outside. The permission granted to Mr Zuma is for 22 July 2021. When outside a correctional facility, inmates need not wear offender uniform. As a short-term, low-risk classified inmate, Mr Zuma’s application for compassionate leave was processed and approved following the Correctional Services prescripts,” says Nxumalo.

Zuma granted permission to attend brother’s funeral