South Africa's jailed ex-president Jacob Zuma has been granted medical parole following his deteriorating health status.
In a statement on Sunday, September 5, the government's correctional services department noted that Zuma would complete his sentence in the community under supervision.
"The Department of Correctional Services(DCD) is able to confirm that Mr Jacob Zuma has been placed on medical parole," the statement read in parts.
The 79-year-old is serving a 15-month sentence for contempt of court at Estcourt Correctional Centre.
Last month prison authorities said Zuma underwent unspecified surgery and was in the hospital awaiting more operations.
Zuma handed himself in to police in July after being sentenced for defying an instruction to give evidence at a corruption inquiry.
His jailing was unprecedented for an ex-president, sparking violent protests and looting.
Though he was forced out of office by his own party in 2018, the African National Congress (ANC), he retains a loyal body of supporters, especially in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal.
