Former South African President Jacob Zuma admitted to hospital

LONDON, Aug 6 - The jailed former President Jacob Zuma was admitted to hospital for medical observation on Friday, the government's correctional services department said.

Zuma has been in Estcourt prison in Kwa-Zulu Natal since surrendering on 7 July to serve a 15 month sentence for contempt of court. His jailing led to the worst outbreak of violence in decades in South Africa.

A routine observation in a prison prompted authorities to take him to an outside hospital for further examination, a correctional services statement said.

Every person detained, including every sentenced prisoner, has the right to conditions of detention which are consistent with human dignity, including medical treatment, the statement said.

It added that as a former leader, Zuma's healthcare needs required the involvement of South African Military Health Services.

Zuma, 79, was jailed for defying a high-level corruption order to give evidence at an inquiry investigating constitutional corruption during his nine years in office until 2018.

Protests from his supporters broke out when Cyril Ramaphosa handed himself in and escalated into riots involving looting and arson, described by President Zuma as an insurrection.