The National Joint Operation and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints) remains on high alert in anticipation of possible repercussions following the Department of Correctional Services’ impending decision on former President Jacob Zuma’s arrest.
UPDATE: On Friday, 11 August 2023, Justice Minister Ronald Lamola confirmed President Jacob Zuma was granted a presidential pardon as part of the ministry’s ‘special remission’ programme.
NATJOINTS lays out plans to deal with riots if Jacob Zuma arrest is announced
As the nation awaits the determination of the department’s acting national commissioner, Makgothi Thobakgale, Natjoints stands prepared to address any eventualities that may arise
Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, spokesperson for the police, confirmed that Natjoints is fully prepared for any developments.
The collective efforts of various branches of the national security apparatus are geared towards maintaining order and mitigating potential disturbances.
Singabakho Nxumalo, spokesperson for the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), emphasised that the operational status of the country’s correctional facilities is stable, with the exception of Kutama Sinthumule in Limpopo.
With 243 correctional centres functioning without disruption, no additional precautions are deemed necessary at this juncture.
Nxumalo reiterated that the national commissioner’s decision will be made at an appropriate time, rendering speculations about facility conditions unwarranted.
Simphiwe Ndlovu, spokesperson for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), asserted that there have been no official deployments in preparation for the department’s impending decision.
The SANDF remains vigilant and responsive to potential needs, should the situation escalate.
Will Zuma be arrested? – Here’s what you must know
Former President Jacob Zuma’s potential return to prison has been a subject of national attention following the Constitutional Court’s dismissal of the Department of Correctional Services’ application for leave to appeal the Supreme Court of Appeal’s (SCA) ruling.
The SCA had ruled that Zuma should resume serving his 15-month sentence for contempt of court after he failed to comply with an order to appear before the State Capture Inquiry.
The Constitutional Court’s ruling last month upheld the SCA decision, asserting that the department’s appeal held no reasonable prospects for success.
Consequently, Zuma’s return to prison appeared imminent, reigniting discussions about the legal and social implications of his incarceration.
Jacob Zuma’s legal saga began with his arrest in July 2021, followed by a brief period of incarceration at the Estcourt Correctional Services Centre in KwaZulu-Natal.
However, his release was granted on medical parole by former national commissioner of correctional services, Arthur Fraser, after serving only two months of his sentence.
The ongoing legal debate surrounding Zuma’s case has prompted widespread scrutiny and sparked debates about the efficacy of the country’s judicial system.
As the nation awaits the decisive action of the Department of Correctional Services, the delicate balance between justice and social stability remains a central concern for authorities and the wider public.