The DA is planning to take legal steps to have the decision to grant medical parole to Jacob Zuma reviewed, as the party believes this was “patently unlawful”.
In a statement released on Tuesday, DA leader John Steenhuisen said they will, by way of a court application, seek the record of decision that led to the granting of this parole.
He said if it turns out that the National Commissioner of Correctional Services, Arthur Fraser, used his discretion to override the decision of a review panel, there is a specific process he would have had to follow.
“This process includes obtaining a full medical report by independent doctors over and above Jacob Zuma’s own doctors. Such a report would need to be presented to the parole board and the relevant doctors, and only then can the Commissioner use his discretion to override the decision,” said Steenhuisen.
He said the DA's review will seek to determine whether these steps took place and in the correct order.
Steenhuisen said: "It is crucial that this process is not manipulated for personal or political gain, particularly following the debacle twelve years ago when Schabir Shaik was granted medical parole on equally spurious grounds.If our suspicions are confirmed by this record of decision, it will prove once again why the ANC should not be allowed to deploy its cadres to key positions across the state."
