Former president has court date in two weeks
In just over two weeks former president Jacob Zuma is expected to appear in court in relation to corruption charges. Business Day understands the date has been set, but summons has not been issued yet. This is in relation to 783 questionable payments connected with the arms deal for which Zuma’s former financial adviser, Schabir Shaik was jailed for corruption.
In just over two weeks former president Jacob Zuma is due to appear in court in connection with corruption charges.
Business Day understands the date has been set but the summons has not been issued yet. This is in relation to 783 questionable payments connected with the arms deal for which Zuma’s former financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, was jailed for corruption.
The charges were dropped against Zuma by then acting National Prosecuting Authority head Mokotedi Mpshe in 2009.
However, after a lengthy legal battle brought by the DA, the Supreme Court of Appeal in 2017 upheld a judgment by the High Court in Pretoria that the decision to drop the charges was irrational.
Zuma was given the opportunity to submit fresh representations to the National Prosecuting Authority on why he should not face the charges. Earlier in March national director of public prosecutions Shaun Abrahams announced that Zuma would face charges.
Zuma will face 16 charges — one count of racketeering, two counts of corruption, one count of money laundering and 12 counts of fraud. Zuma’s lawyer Michael Hulley, has indicated Zuma was considering taking Abrahams’s decision on review.
A review could further delay the matter, which has dragged on for almost a decade.
Zuma is expected to appear in court in KwaZulu-Natal.
The decision to prosecute him is also being challenged by a little-known nonprofit organisation, South African Natives Forum.
The group has lodged an application in the Western Cape High Court for a permanent stay of prosecution. The National Prosecuting Authority will oppose the application.