By Kaya 959 Reporter
AfriForum believes that the decision to grant former President Jacob Zuma medical parole should be set aside.
The group went back to court on Tuesday after it initially approached the Northern Gauteng High Court in September.
AfriForum filed an urgent application to review the lawfulness of the decision by Arthur Fraser to grant the former president medical parole.
Fraser was the National Commissioner of Correctional Services at the time. He granted Zuma medical parole a few weeks before his contract expired
“AfriForum contends that Fraser’s decision was unlawful and must be put aside, with Zuma to be returned to the custody of the Department of Correctional Services to serve out the rest of his sentence,” says the organisation’s Head of Policy and Action Ernst Roets.
The organisation sent Fraser an urgent lawyer’s letter shortly after Zuma’s release.
“We requested answers regarding Zuma’s release. We wanted information on whether Zuma suffers from a terminal disease that justifies his medical parole. If Zuma was not diagnosed with a terminal disease, particulars of the injury, disease or illness which justified medical parole must be divulged,” he says.
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AfriForum demands copy of medical parole application
Roets adds that given Zuma’s well-publicised refusal to be examined by medical doctors appointed by the NPA, they want to know how Fraser came to the conclusion that there is no risk that Zuma will transgress again.
“We also want a copy of the application for medical parole, in the prescribed format, which was considered by Fraser and a copy of the medical report recommending that Zuma be placed on medical parole,” he says.
“There can be no room in the criminal justice system for double standards that give special treatment to politicians and other dignitaries when it comes to serving sentences. Justice must also be done in this matter so that the public does not further lose confidence in the system,” Roets says.
He says AfriForum does not have a problem with Zuma’s medical release if it is true that he is terminally ill or in any other way complies with the provisions of the law.
“However, the actions and rulings of the Department of Correctional Services indicate that political interference is involved here,” Roets concludes.
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