Former South African president Jacob Zuma was released under a remission process Friday after he surrendered himself to a correctional facility in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal.
Zuma had received a 15-month prison sentence in 2021 on corruption charges, but only served two months. He was released on a medical parole.
Friday’s appearance could have sent him back to prison to finish his term but instead he was granted a remission, which relieves him of completing the rest of his sentence.
The remission program, approved by current South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, is designed to reduce South Africa’s low-risk prison population.
Zuma’s imprisonment in 2021 sparked weeks of violent protests in which 300 people were killed.
A court found his release from imprisonment in 2021 unlawful.
However, the 81-year-old former president was freed from custody Friday after about two hours.
The Democratic Alliance, South Africa’s main opposition party, says it will challenge the remission of the former president.