Former President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma was on Friday released from prison after completing his sentence.
According to correctional services, Zuma was released from detention having served only part of his term behind bars.
Recall that the former president was put behind bars for a year and three months for contempt of court in July, 2021.
Zuma had refused to testify before a graft inquiry but was released on medical parole two months later.
The former president in a statement released on Friday wrote, “It is a day of mixed emotions.”
He appreciated his supporters for speaking out against what he described as an “unjust and cruel incarceration.”
Zuma further stated, “I am relieved to be free again to walk around and do whatever I want to do without restrictions.”
He compared his release to the day in 1973 when he walked out of Cape Town’s notorious Robben Island prison, where he had been jailed as an apartheid-era political prisoner with Nelson Mandela.
Zuma was granted parole after being admitted to the hospital for an undisclosed condition.
A court later ordered him back to jail, but he managed to remain out as appeal proceedings dragged on.
The Department of Correctional Services in a statement wrote, “All administrative processes have now been conducted and the sentence expiry date marks the end of him serving his sentence.”
