A statement shared by the Congress of the People (COPE) on Thursday has expressed some serious concerns over Jacob Zuma’s ‘compassionate leave’ from prison later this afternoon. Msholozi is set to attend the funeral of his brother, but the political party – which has two serving MPs in Parliament – has opposed this move.

Why Jacob Zuma is leaving prison on Thursday

Michael Zuma died on Sunday 11 July, after having a long illness. According to the department, Zuma had filed a compassionate leave application on Tuesday. In a statement issued earlier today, the department’s Singabakho Nxumalo said the permission was granted under Section 44 (1)(a) of the Correctional Services Act:

“A sentenced offender who is granted permission to leave a correctional centre remains a sentenced offender even while temporarily outside. The permission granted to Mr. Zuma is for July 22, 2021. As a short-term, low-risk classified inmate, Mr Zuma’s application for compassionate leave was processed and approved.”

Is Jacob Zuma a security risk?

COPE is concerned with the threat posed by some of the more vehement supporters of Jacob Zuma. With some elements of the widespread looting traced back to pro-Zuma factions of the ANC, there are fears that another collective of protesters could ‘refuse to let JZ go back to Estcourt Prison’ – and security forces will have to remain on high alert.

“If former President Jacob Zuma has applied to the Correctional Service Department to attend his late brother Michael Zuma’s funeral – who passed on a few days ago – we ask that the decision-makers are cautious.”

“We are thinking of a situation where the supporters of Zuma refuse to let him go back to prison. Will the security forces be up to the task to get him back to prison without spilling blood? This is a risk.” | COPE statement

Ramaphsoa encouraged to ‘shuffle his deck’ by COPE

Earlier in the week, the minor party – led by Mosiuoa Lekota – also stressed that President Ramaphosa should consider a Cabinet reshuffle, due to the repeated communication breakdowns witnessed in government since the riots flared up.

“President Ramaphosa told the nation that the looting that was coupled with violence was a failed insurrection. On the other hand, the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula told the country that there was no such thing as an attempted insurrection or a coup that was planned.”

“These kinds of contradictions from the President and his Minister of Defence do not instill confidence in the country. It is very scary, to say the least. The factional battle within the ANC is bigger than what the eye can see.”