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Mark Scott-Crossley was originally given a life sentence for murder but this was reduced after a judge said there was no proof the man was alive.
The remains of Nelson Chisale's body were found in the lion enclosure, causing a national outcry.
The case highlighted the racial tensions in rural South Africa.
Trade unions and MPs have condemned the release of Scott-Crossley.
His lawyers says the release comes after he has served two-thirds of his sentence.
Mr Chisale was beaten up by Scott-Crossley and another worker after going to his home to collect belongings after being dismissed from his work on a farm in the Limpopo province in 2004.
The Appeals Court last year found there was no evidence that Mr Chisale had been alive when thrown into the lion enclosure, so Scott-Crossley could only be convicted of being an accessory to murder after the fact.
The other worker, Simon Mathebula, is serving a 15-year sentence for murder.
Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) official Jan Tsiane said the case shows that, 14 years after the end of apartheid, the criminal justice system remains biased towards the rich, reports the South African Broadcasting Corporation.
SABC also reports that the chairperson of the parliamentary Correctional Services Committee, Dennis Bloem, says he will be writing to demand an official explanation for Scott-Crossley's early release.
(BBC)
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