South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala has reiterated his call for former president Jacob Zuma to be pardoned and released from prison, saying all that is now in the hands of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Zikalala was in Nkandla, KZN on Thursday afternoon, 22 July 2021, where he had attended the funeral service of Zuma’s younger brother, Michael, who passed away following an illness. Said Zikalala:
I think it is better to leave those matters (presidential pardon) to authorities that are eligible to process that.
We have made our point here and we have made our submission in terms of engagement, and I think it is better for the authorities such as the minister (of correctional services) and the Presidency.
Ramaphosa, as the head of State and Government, has the prerogative to grant Jacob Zuma a pardon.
Zuma (79) is currently serving 15 months at the Estcourt Correctional Centre in KZN on a contempt of court conviction.
He was granted compassionate leave by the Department of Correctional Services to attend his 77-year-old brother’s funeral.
Meanwhile, Zikalala, who also met with Zuma, said the former president is doing well. He said:
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 of his young brother.