Cape Town – The Constitutional Court’s recent judgment on former South African president Jacob Zuma’s case has reportedly prompted the country’s security cluster in the Cabinet to take action.
According to City Press, the cluster, comprising key ministers responsible for justice, police, defence, and presidency, held an urgent meeting to discuss security threats arising from the judgment.
The court upheld the Supreme Court of Appeal’s ruling that Zuma should return to prison to serve his sentence, overturning the earlier decision to grant him medical parole.
The meeting focused on plans to increase security forces in areas that were hotspots during the violent protests following Zuma’s initial imprisonment in 2021, the report said.
The ministers aimed to prevent a recurrence of those uprisings.
Police Minister Bheki Cele said that the police would act based on the decision and guidance of the correctional services department regarding Zuma’s arrest upon his return from medical treatment in Russia.
“I’ve been in contact with Lamola and this morning [Friday] the Constitutional Court gave our department the prerogative. It also gave the acting national commissioner of correctional services [Makgothi Thobakgale] the prerogative to take a decision on the matter. We’re getting ready for whatever eventualities occur, which could be taking Zuma back to prison or receiving information that he’s finished serving his sentence. It’s up to them to decide,” the report quoted Cele as saying.
He added: “…what happens isn’t a matter for the police at the moment. The department of correctional services will have to lead the initiative and it will then be assisted by the police.”
According to EWN, the police said they were better prepared now than they were in July 2021 when the country was plunged into civil unrest over Zuma’s imprisonment.
“We are continuously increasing our deployment in the country so we are ready for any eventuality that may come. We are on the highways and in communities,” said National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola.
The DA has called for Zuma’s immediate arrest, while the EFF and UDM have advocated for leniency towards him.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
