SA President welcomes Zuma’s medical parole

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said he welcomes the decision to release former President Jacob Zuma on medical parole and hopes he gets well soon.

“We welcome this. We’ve heard that he is not well and we’d like to wish him quick recovery as he’s restored back to his home to be with his loved ones,”

President Ramaphosa said during his concluding remarks at a national executive committee meeting of the governing African National Congress (ANC).

On Sunday, the Department of Correctional Services announced that Zuma would serve the remainder of his 15-month prison sentence at home.

The nature of his illness was not specified, but a statement said the former president would complete the rest of his sentence in the community under special conditions.

His foundation described the development as an act of humility.

Zuma handed himself in to police in July after being sentenced for failing to attend an inquiry into corruption during his presidency.

His jailing sparked violent protests and looting.

Dominica Nwabufo/BBC