Zuma’s Case Expected To Be Postponed

By: Lindelani Mbatha

Jacob Zuma foundation spokesperson Mzwandile Manyi says former president Jacob Zuma has every right to directly appeal the Pietermaritzburg high court’s decision on State Advocate Billy Downer’s title to prosecute him.

His corruption trial is expected to resume anytime from now in the High Court in Pietermaritzburg.

Last October, Judge Piet Koen dismissed Zuma’s special plea, then the former president turned to the Supreme Court of Appeal but two appellate judges dismissed his bid to overturn Koen’s ruling.

He subsequently approached then SCA President Mandisa Maya directly, with an application for her to reconsider but she too dismissed his case, prompting him to turn to the Constitutional Court, with an appeal against her decision.

Again, he was unsuccessful but in its ruling handed down last month, the apex court ruled he could try appealing directly against Koen’s ruling.

Zuma and Thales, a French arms company, are facing 18 counts of corruption, money laundering, tax evasion, and racketeering in connection with a multibillion-rand weapons deal.

Manyi elaborates.