South Africa’s High Court has ordered former President Jacob Zuma to return to prison, overturning an earlier decision to release him on medical parole.
The 79-year-old was granted medical parole in September and is currently serving a 15-month term for contempt of court after refusing to cooperate in a corruption investigation.
Zuma’s attempt to get the sentence overturned was rebuffed by South Africa’s top court in the same month.
The court proceedings against him for suspected corruption during his nine-year presidency are widely regarded as a litmus test for post-apartheid South Africa’s ability to uphold the rule of law, particularly against powerful and well-connected persons.
On July 7, Zuma surrendered to begin his prison sentence, sparking the worst rioting in South Africa in years as his enraged followers went to the streets.
