Daily news update: All about Zuma, Mkhwebane’s removal

In today’s daily news update: In what was arguably the most confusing media briefing this year, it was revealed that former president Jacob Zuma served the briefest of periods in jail.

Meanwhile, the Section 194 Committee largely agreed that Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane must be removed from office.

Daily news update: 12 August 2023

The weather is more predictable than SA’s political landscape…

In today’s forecast: extreme fire warning in Northern Cape; thunderstorms and varying temperatures in other parts of the country.

Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. Here’s your easy-to-read selection of our top stories.

All about Zuma

Zuma reported to the Estcourt Correction Services on Friday and was released two hours later.

According to the National Commissioner of Correctional Services Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale, this was due to the processing of ‘special remissions which applies to all other prisoners’.

Zuma will not be under parole, but the department said it would keep in contact with them.

CONTINUE READING: ‘Ramaphosa believes rule of law was served’ in Zuma jail decision

Zuma’s ‘special remission’ jail release

Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola, said the remission process was to avoid overcrowding of prisons and would factor in the category of crimes committed and time already served in facilities.

He said Ramaphosa had remitted prisoners across the country and had not given special treatment to Zuma.

CONTINUE READING: ‘We’re still here’: Zuma’s next step after ‘special remission’ jail release

‘Mockery of the justice system’

Political parties, foundations, and citizens have reacted to the release of former president Jacob Zuma from prison on “special remission”, with some labeling it a “mockery of the criminal justice system”.

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) on Friday announced its decision on whether to jail Zuma following the Constitutional Court (ConCourt)’s dismissal of an appeal relating to the former president‘s release on on medical parole in September 2021.

CONTINUE READING: ‘Mockery of the justice system’ – 5 reactions to Zuma’s prison release

Madonsela supports Zuma’s release

While some political parties and citizens have reacted angrily to the release of Jacob Zuma from prison, former public protector Thuli Madonsela said she supports the remission of the former president’s sentence.

She said it is “ubuntu anchored”.

“The point regarding no one being above the law has been made and the teaching power of the law leveraged. Nothing more could be gained through further incarceration. There’s also the fact his release was the state’s mistake.”

CONTINUE READING: Madonsela supports Zuma’s release, says ‘nothing to be gained through further incarceration’

Mkhwebane’s removal

The majority of members of the Section 194 Committee have agreed to recommend to Parliament that Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane be removed from her office.

The committee met on Friday to consider and adopt a draft report on the impeachment inquiry proceedings.

The meeting comes after the committee found the public protector guilty on all four charges of misconduct and incompetence last month.

CONTINUE READING: Section 194 Inquiry agrees on Mkhwebane’s removal

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In other news today:

• Three workers die after trench collapses on them in Tshwane
• Four suspects nabbed, two vehicles recovered after Mpumalanga CIT heist
• Eight shacks gutted by fire in Diepsloot
• Three children killed by tow truck while walking to school in Chatsworth

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Yesterday’s Daily News recap

READ: Taxi strike, Mbalula on corruption, Ramaphosa’s R3.5m bull