The few months that Jacob Zuma spends at Estcourt prison in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands will be anything but harsh.
"The old man is a legend," an inmate of a Johannesburg prison told the Sunday Times. "To harm Zuma is to sign your death warrant."
The prisoner, who is serving a life term for cash-in-transit heists, said the former president would be "hero-worshipped" regardless of whether he served his time at the Estcourt jail - "which is considered a hotel" - or at Pollsmoor in Cape Town, "which is hell".
"He will not be touched. He is a hero because of what he did for prisoners while he was president, for the kindness he showed by shortening sentences and granting pardons, even for those who are long-timers."
The minister of justice & correctional services, Ronald Lamola, said this week Zuma would be treated like any other prisoner, but those who know the system don't believe it.
Prisoner-rights activist Golden Miles Bhudu said Zuma, a Robben Island veteran, could expect a cushy life behind bars.
"It's been a while since Zuma was in prison, but it won't take him long to get an understanding," Bhudu said.
"Zuma will most likely be able to spend all day in bed if he likes. The warders will not bother him.
"He will not be made to do anything that he does not want to do. Prison programmes will not be compulsory for him. I would not be surprised if he spends most of his time reading in his cell or socialising with prisoners and prison management.
"He is revered, so he will probably get longer than two hours in the outside prison courtyards."
Bhudu said Zuma would not have to eat the "barely edible" prison food.
"[He] will have special meals brought in for him. His family will be allowed to send him whatever he likes to eat. Anyone who thinks otherwise is naïve."
Correctional services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said prisoners get three meals a day, with breakfast consisting of cereal with milk and sugar, bread with margarine and a spread, and tea or coffee.
Later in the day there is a "light meal" of soup, bread with margarine and a spread, and either a vitamin-enriched fruit drink or fresh fruit.
The main meal comprises animal protein, a starch, two types of vegetables and tea or coffee, Nxumalo said.
The old man will be treated like a king
He said the wake-up call for inmates at Estcourt is at 5am daily.
"They are expected to make their beds, shower and have breakfast before heading to either of the production workshops, which commence at 7am."
These workshops provide training in woodworking and bricklaying.
The R387m Estcourt prison, designed for 512 inmates, was opened in 2019 and has a hospital section, training centre and maintenance workshop.
Nxumalo said Zuma would be isolated for 14 days in line with Covid protocols.
The Estcourt Correctional Centre, about 170km from Zuma's Nkandla homestead, is known among locals as "the private prison" due to its brand-new finishes.
A local businessman, who preferred not to be named, described the prison as "state of the art".
"It was supposed to be our Covid-19 isolation and quarantine area but things didn't get so bad that they had to use it. It's a really nice facility, as you can tell."
Andile Mchunu, secretary of the ANC Youth League in the Estcourt region, said the jail was a good choice.
"It's a new facility and I think because it is closer to his home than Westville prison, he will feel more comfortable here."
The Johannesburg prison inmate scoffed at the idea that Zuma would be treated like any other prisoner.
"The old man will be treated like a king," he said. Other prisoners would be "clamouring to be around him, helping him, listening to his stories, seeking his advice".
"To them he is also highly valuable. He is currency. They know his worth, especially if they protect him . He is only there for a short time so there will be an expectation that he will, in the near future, be able to pay them back."
The inmate said Zuma's fellow prisoners would ensure that the warders did not give him any trouble.
"There will be prisoners who will wash his dishes, others who will make his bed and make sure that he has enough pillows, nice mattresses and plenty of blankets.
"He won't have a phone, but others, including warders, will. Zuma will have all the contact he needs with his family, any time that he wants."
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.