By Hannatu Sadiq
South Africa’s former President, Jacob Zuma, who started serving his 15-month sentence on July 8 at Estcourt prison, has been admitted to a hospital outside prison for “medical observation”, according to officials.
“Everyone who is detained, including every sentenced prisoner, has the right to conditions of detention that are consistent with human dignity, including … medical treatment,” the Department of Correctional Services said in a statement on Friday.
The reason for his hospitalisation was not disclosed, apart from that it was prompted by “a routine observation”.
The department added that as a former president, Zuma’s healthcare needs required the involvement of the South African Military Health Service.
Zuma’s foundation, while confirming that he was in hospital, said it was for his annual routine medical check-up. The former leader travelled to Cuba last year to receive treatment for an undisclosed illness.
“No need to be alarmed,… yet,” the foundation said in a Twitter post.
Zuma’s admission came less than a week before the 79-year-old is due to attend the resumption of a long-running corruption trial.
The August 10 hearing will include a plea to drop 16 charges of fraud, corruption and racketeering against him related to the 1999 purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats and equipment from five European arms firms when he was deputy president.
He is accused of taking bribes from one of the firms, French defence giant Thales, which has been charged with corruption and money laundering.
Zuma who pleaded not guilty, insists that he is the victim of a politically motivated witch-hunt by his opponents.
Zuma’s legal team had used a range of reasons to turn down invitations to testify, including alleged bias, preparations for the corruption trial and medical concerns.
Zuma had previously been allowed to leave prison for 24 hours to attend his brother’s funeral last month.
