South Africa: Former President Zuma undergoes surgery

Jailed former South African President Jacob Zuma has undergone unspecified surgery and remains in hospital with more operations planned, prison authorities said.

Zuma, serving a 15-month sentence in Estcourt prison for contempt of court, was sent to a hospital outside for observation on August 6, days before the start of a corruption trial he has thus far avoided.

“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 on Sunday.

There was no word on a potential discharge date for Zuma, who in July asked the country’s top court to reverse his imprisonment, saying it was unjust and might kill him if he catches COVID-19.

Read Also: President Muhammadu Buhari, others isolate after UK trip