Cape Town – Former South African president, Jacob Zuma, embraced his followers who came out to support him outside of the Pietermaritzburg High Court, singing Umshini Wami for them on Monday.
This came after his private prosecution against State advocate, Billy Downer, and News24 journalist Karyn Maughan was postponed to February 2023.
“I am going to sing for you. I am no longer a prisoner,” said Zuma.
He said this as he also celebrated the expiry of his 15-month sentence.
[WATCH] Former president Jacob Zuma sings “Umshini Wam” outside the Pietermaritzburg High Court where his private prosecution of Adv. Billy Downer and journalist Karyn Maughan was postponed to February 2 2023.#Newzroom405 #JacobZuma pic.twitter.com/zy0ooWsuCm
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) October 10, 2022
Earlier, Zuma said in a statement that he was relieved to be free again.
“It is a day of mixed emotions. I am relieved to be free again to walk around and do whatever I want to do without restrictions and having to seek permission, in the same manner that I felt in 1973 when I was released from Robben Island,” he said.
“Only this time, I am also filled with sadness. It was the first time ever that the Constitutional Court sentenced any person to a term of imprisonment and without even the benefit of a trial. I never expected this to happen during the freedom and democracy we fought so hard to attain,” Zuma added.
The former president also thanked his supporters for their love during a “most difficult period”.
Statement By President Jacob Zuma On The Conclusion Of His Sentence pic.twitter.com/XC5gKk71Hv
— Dudu Zuma-Sambudla (@DZumaSambudla) October 7, 2022
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Compiled by Junaid Benjamin
