Jailed former South African President, Jacob Zuma undergoes surgery

The government said Sunday that South Africa’s jailed ex-president Jacob Zuma, who was recently moved from prison to a health facility, has undergone surgery and will stay in hospital for further procedures.

“Mr. Zuma underwent a surgical procedure on Saturday, 14 August 2021, with other procedures scheduled for the coming days,” the correctional services department announced in a statement, saying it could not predict a discharge date yet.

The 79-year-old was admitted to the hospital for observation on August 6 for an undisclosed condition, and he has remained there.

His long-running corruption trial over an arms deal dating back more than two decades was last week postponed to next month pending a medical report declaring Zuma’s fitness for trial. His legal team was ordered by the judge to produce a medical report by August 20.

The prosecutors may appoint a doctor of their choice to assess whether Zuma is fit to stand trial.

Last month, Zuma began serving a 15-month jail sentence in a separate case — for snubbing a commission probing state corruption under his 2009-2018 presidency.