'Is he gambling with his health?': SA reacts to Zuma spotted out and about at Durban casino
Images of former president Jacob spotted out and about at Sibaya Casino near Durban have sparked a major debate online, with many questioning the condition of his undisclosed illness and parole.
Zuma was spotted leaving the casino last Friday with his allies, including former SAA chair Dudu Myeni.
According to a Sunday Times report, Zuma was caught on camera in public for the first time since being granted parole after being sentenced to 15 months for ignoring a Constitutional Court order.
It received a tip-off that Zuma was holding a “meeting” at the casino owned by his friend, Durban businessman Vivian Reddy.
The eyebrow-raising meeting comes after Zuma told a crowd gathered outside his Nkandla homestead on Thursday that he could only speak to them via video because of “very strict parole conditions”.
“Yes, I remain a prisoner, under very strict parole conditions. It feels like what house arrest and banning orders must have felt like during the colonial-apartheid government,” Zuma told his supporters.
However, department of correctional services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said Zuma’s casino visit was above board.
He said Zuma made a request to leave his residence to be in another town and this was approved by his monitoring official.
Responding to the report, Zuma's daughter Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla said her father was under house arrest.
Last month, ANC deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte rejected assumptions that Zuma would behave like his former financial adviser Schabir Shaik post parole.
She said the ANC would be proven wrong if Zuma, among other things, was seen playing golf.
“I think there are different circumstances to different situations. So if every situation is going to have a particular narrative, we are not going to allow ourselves to understand what the truth is and what isn’t,” said Duarte.
“The Schabir Shaik behaviour may have been wrong, but we cannot assume that comrade Zuma is not ill and will behave like Schabir Shaik. I think that’s not quite right.
“All I’m saying is that the world is much bigger than one perspective. If there is a mistake then we will be wrong. If we see comrade Zuma going to play golf, for instance, then, of course, you are right and we are wrong,” she said.
On social media, many weighed in on the photo, with some likening him to Shaik and others saying it was his business what he does.
Terminally ill Shaik played golf. Terminally ill Zuma gambles at Casinos.Maybe if SA was declared terminally ill, we might see progress.
— Errol (@errolbsk) October 17, 2021
Jacob Zuma gambling with his health? Hmmmm....
— Eusebius McKaiser (@Eusebius) October 17, 2021
IN PICS | Medical parolee Jacob Zuma spotted in Durban casino https://t.co/zxE99wYRyX via @TimesLIVE
Think about it! You defy all and get sent to prison for 15 months but get out in 2 months wouldn't you also be trying your luck at the casino like Jacob Zuma?
— Heartbeat Of Africa (@PeterDermauw) October 17, 2021
I see Jacob Zuma has been spotted at a Durban casino...wow he can't be gambling with his health being terminally ill and an old man as described by Mpofu.....what a miraculous recovery old man.
— Ian Barber (@IanBarb09009892) October 17, 2021
The “terminally ill” Zuma out and about at the Sibaya Casino with Dudu Myeni. An absolute mockery of the justice system.
— Fox Mike (@AgPilot6) October 17, 2021
Zuma spotted one a #CASINO
— Laetitia (@llpot) October 17, 2021
This is our ex President enjoying his medical parole.
Did he go to church, did he go and see his supporters??
No, he went to a casino. https://t.co/54fNuDqHgM
Under CR, Zuma visits casinos while on medical parole, Mkhize remains a MP after embezzling millions, Esidimeni guilty still free, the 12 'insurrectors" remain unnamed and the NPA has budgets cut while pvt VIP security gets more.. But can't halt a hostage situation..
— Brett Ben Raphael (@Brettbenraphael) October 17, 2021
At his old age,so he is no longer afraid of contacting covid 19?cos thats one of the reason given to court.
— Daniel black (@truthispower10) October 17, 2021
If he can go to a Casino he can go to Court too 💯👍🏼👌🏽
— Chris Olivier (@ChrisCycad) October 17, 2021