Former South African President, Jacob Zuma yesterday regained freedom after the expiration of his prison term for contempt of court.
Gatekeepers News reports that Zuma received a 15-month sentence in 2021 after he ignored instructions to participate in a corruption inquiry.
He turned himself in on July 7, 2021 to begin his sentence, triggering the worst violence South Africa had seen in years as his angry supporters took to the streets.
Zuma stated that he felt relieved to be a free man and thanked his supporters.
“The messages of support on social media and other platforms kept me strong and focused on ensuring that those who wanted to break my spirit and resolve do not succeed,” he said.
Zuma was released on medical parole in September 2021. However, in December, the high court set aside the parole decision and ordered him to return to jail.
Zuma appealed the ruling and remained on parole pending the appeal outcome.
