Cape Town – Former prisons boss Arthur Fraser has reportedly revealed the reason why he released former president Jacob Zuma on medical parole, saying it was not because of his “perceived relationship” with him.
According to News24, Fraser said this in an affidavit filed at the Gauteng Court in Pretoria.
Fraser said he was driven by fears of unrest if Zuma’s health was “recklessly” put at risk.
“I also submit that [Zuma’s] political standing had nothing to do with his placement on medical parole,” the report quoted Fraser as saying.
Zuma was granted parole by the department of correctional services in early September – just weeks after he was incarcerated for 15 months for ignoring a court order to testify before a judicial panel probing corruption during his nine-year tenure which lasted until 2018.
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His parole has been challenged by a number of parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA).
They are demanding an explanation from Fraser on the reasons behind his decision to place Zuma on medical parole.
Fraser admitted during an interview with SABC’s Vuyo Mvoko in September that he alone decided to grant medical parole to Zuma.
He said at the time that Zuma had declared his comorbidities.
“With regards to any person that has to take parole, there is procedures, there is law…. He (Zuma) was placed on medical parole. He came into our facility. We have a responsibility to provide security and care. And as in all instances, when we admit a person into our facility, we make sure that we do a full assessment, including a health assessment.
Fraser said that after assessments, the medical parole advisory board “did not approve medical parole” because Zuma was “in a stable condition”.
He, however, stood by his decision to overrule this and release the former president because the correctional services department realised that they had a person in their custody who was frail and required specialised treatment.
“I rescinded that and took the decision then to place him (Zuma) on medical parole and I’ve given a host of reasons. The reasons are available. It’s in documentation, and it will be presented to whoever needs to see that. I’m sure parliament will be asking,” Fraser said. at the time.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
Additional reporting by AFP
