Former president Jacob Zuma will be let out of prison on Thursday morning to attend his brother Michael’s funeral at Nkandla.
The 79-year-old former president is serving a 15-month prison term fo content of court.
Correction services said Zuma is considered a “low risk” prisoner.
The former president has been locked up at the Escourt Correctional Centre for the last two weeks.
“As a short-term, low risk classified inmate, Mr. Zuma’s application for compassionate leave was processed and approved,” said the Department of Correction Services in a terse letter.
Citing the week-long unrest and looting that began as the #FreeZuma campaign, COPE has warned of possible risks if Zuma is let out of prison.