Jacob Zuma, the imprisoned former president of South Africa, underwent unspecified surgery on Sunday and remains in hospital, with further surgeries expected, according to prison officials.
Zuma, who is serving a 15-month term in Estcourt for contempt of court, was admitted to a hospital for observation on Aug. 6, just days before the start of a corruption trial he has so far managed to escape.
“Mr Zuma underwent a surgical procedure on Saturday, 14 August 2021, with other procedures scheduled for the coming days,” prison spokesman Singabakho Nxumalo said in a statement.
There was no announcement on a possible release date for Zuma, who sought the country’s top court in July to overturn his incarceration, claiming it was unjust and that catching COVID-19 would kill him.
Following his hospitalization, a high court postponed his corruption trial until Sept. 9. Zuma’s medical condition is unknown, but the judge has ordered his legal team to deliver a medical report by Aug. 20.
The prosecutors have the option of appointing a doctor to determine if Zuma is fit to stand trial.
Zuma, whose detention last month sparked looting and unrest, is accused of a $2 billion arms deal corruption case with co-accused Thales (TCFP.PA), which led to his dismissal as South Africa’s deputy president in 2005.
The charges have been refuted by Zuma and Thales.
