The corruption trial of former South African President Jacob Zuma has been postponed once again, as the court awaits the outcome of his appeal to remove the lead state prosecutor from the case.
Zuma did not appear in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Monday due to what his lawyer, Dali Mpofu, described as a “medical emergency.” His legal team requested that proceedings be delayed until the Supreme Court of Appeal rules on Zuma’s bid to have prosecutor Billy Downer removed, alleging bias.
The case is now scheduled to resume on May 17.
Long-Running Arms Deal Case
Zuma has been facing charges of corruption, fraud, and money laundering for nearly 17 years in connection with South Africa’s 1999 arms deal. He is accused of receiving bribes through his former financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, who was convicted on related charges in 2005. French defense company Thales is a co-accused in the case.
South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority has opposed repeated postponements, accusing Zuma of using legal challenges as delaying tactics. His defense maintains that he is entitled to a fair trial and has the right to contest the prosecution team.
High Court Judge Piet Koen ruled that the delay was unavoidable, noting the court must wait for the higher court’s decision on the recusal application.
Medical Parole and Earlier Unrest
Zuma, 79, is currently on medical parole while serving a 15-month sentence for contempt of court after refusing to comply with a Constitutional Court order to testify before a corruption inquiry into his presidency from 2009 to 2018.
His imprisonment in July last year triggered widespread unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, including looting and arson that left more than 300 people dead. He was released on medical parole about three months later, though a subsequent court ruling found the parole unlawful, a decision his legal team is now appealing.
