Cape Town – Former president Jacob Zuma reportedly spent his first night at his Nkandla home after being discharged from a Gauteng hospital on Wednesday.
According to Times Live, sources confirmed the news, saying, however, that his return had been kept low-key to avoid a lot of people flocking to the compound
“He is in his Nkandla home but he will be returning to spend the whole of next week in Johannesburg. We are just happy that he is fine and things are somewhat back to normal, though not 100% yet,” the report quoted one of the sources as saying.
ALSO READ | Jacob Zuma’s medical status under scrutiny as he snubs graft trial
Zuma had been hospitalised since August 6 at a health facility outside the prison where he had been 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.
He was granted medical parole by the department of correctional services on September 5, and would, therefore, complete the rest of his sentence in a “system of community corrections”.
Zuma’s spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi last week refused to reveal details of when the former president would be discharged from hospital, but confirmed that a thanksgiving prayer reception event will be held in his honour.
ALSO READ | Jacob Zuma ‘is putting on a brave face… he’s not 100% well’ as he prepares for hospital release
According to EWN, Manyi maintained that Zuma’s discharge date would not be disclosed due to security concerns.
He also indicated at the time that Zuma remained “unwell”.
“He (Zuma) is a good man so when he sees people, he smiles like a typical grandfather that in the face of adversity must still put up a brave face.
“But the man is not 100% well and the exact nature and all of those things, as you know, we cannot divulge but he’s walking, he’s talking, he’s breathing, he’s laughing,” said Manyi during an interview with Jacaranda FM.
ALSO READ | Jacob Zuma’s medical parole: ‘I got to hear about the decision once it was made,’ says Ramaphosa
Earlier this week, during proceedings at the Pietermaritzburg High Court, a legal team appointed by the state, which has been given access to Zuma’s medical records, deemed that he was fit to stand trial.
Zuma faces 16 counts of fraud, graft and racketeering related to the purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats and equipment from five European arms firms.
He is accused of taking bribes from one of the firms, French defence giant Thales, which has also been charged with corruption and money laundering.
Both have denied wrongdoing.
For more Jacob Zuma Parole news click here
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Getty Images
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
