By Aljazeera
South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma, jailed for contempt of court last month has,according to officials, been admitted to a hospital outside prison for “medical observation”, according to official.
Hospital admission from prison comes days before 79-year-old is due to attend the resumption of a long-running corruption trial.
Zuma’s foundation said the admission was for the 79-year-old’s annual routine medical check up.
South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma, jailed for contempt of court last month, has been admitted to a hospital outside prison for “medical observation”, according to officials.
“Everyone who is detained, including every sentenced prisoner, has the right to conditions of detention that are consistent with human dignity, including … medical treatment,” the Department of Correctional Services said in a statement on Friday.
No reason was given for the hospitalisation on Friday, apart from that it was prompted by “a routine observation”.
The department added that as a former president, Zuma’s healthcare needs required the involvement of the South African Military Health Service.
Zuma’s foundation, while confirming that he was in hospital, said it was for his annual routine medical check-up.
“No need to be alarmed, … yet,” the foundation said in a Twitter post.
The admission came less than a week before the 79-year-old is due to attend the resumption of a long-running corruption trial.
The August 10 hearing will include a plea to drop 16 charges of fraud, corruption and racketeering against him related to the 1999 purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats and equipment from five European arms firms when he was deputy president.
He is accused of taking bribes from one of the firms, French defence giant Thales, which has been charged with corruption and money laundering.
Zuma has pleaded not guilty and maintains he is the victim of a politically motivated witch-hunt by his opponents.
