The Pietermaritzburg High Court has postponed former President Jacob Zuma’s corruption trial until 9 September. #ZumaTrial
Jacob Zuma's legal team said that they would apply virtually to postpone his arms deal corruption case.
The corruption case against former President Jacob Zuma and French arms company, Thales, was due to be heard in the Pietermaritzburg High Court.
The ex-president sought to have the case postponed because of the pandemic and the recent unrest.
Former President Jacob Zuma faces 16 charges of fraud, graft and racketeering related to the 1999 arms deal. He is accused of taking bribes from French company, Thales, amounting to R4 million.
Former President Jacob Zuma has challenged State prosecutor Advocate Billy Downer’s right to prosecute him by a special plea application in terms of Section 106 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
State prosecutor Advocate Billy Downer said that an agreement had been reached with the lawyers of Jacob Zuma and French arms firm, Thales, for the trial to commence on 17 May.
In terms of today's court proceedings, the State and accused are expected to finalise pre-trial matters.
The accused were last seen in court in December when the matter was postponed following an application by Thales to have the racketeering charges against it dropped.
The High Court in Pietermaritzburg has dismissed with costs French arms company Thales’ bid to challenge racketeering charges.
Former President Jacob Zuma's lawyer has provided sufficient evidence showing he was ill in February when he failed to appear in the Pietermaritzburg High Court in connection with the arms deal scandal.
Former President Jacob Zuma missed his last scheduled appearance in February, which led to an arrest warrant being issued against him.
Former President Jacob Zuma was scheduled to appear in court to answer the corruption charges on 6 May.
The former president previously argued for the case to be struck off the roll, saying the charges were politically motivated and that the unreasonable delays in prosecuting him had prejudiced him.
By Dr Jack & Curtis.
When former President Jacob Zuma argued for his corruption trial to be thrown out last year, his lawyer Advocate Muzi Sikhakhana told the court that his client did not have the money to finance his corruption trial.
The firing of Mantsha comes at a time Zuma is preparing for his corruption trial, which is expected to get under way at the Pietermaritzburg High Court next month.
This comes after the supreme court of appeal dismissed the former statesman's application to appeal a ruling that he must stand trial for corruption.
