EX-LEADER ZUMA SEEKS FURTHER DELAY IN TRIAL

JOHANNESBURG Former South African president Jacob Zuma, whose jailing earlier this month triggered some of the worst unrest of the post-apartheid era, appeared by video link in court on Monday to seek a further delay in his corruption trial.

While the government has largely restored order in the streets, there were fears Zuma’s latest court appearance could again trigger violent protests from his support base. But they did not immediately materialize.

Efforts to prosecute the ex-president for allegedly receiving kickbacks over a US$2 billion weapons deal in the late 1990s have been seen as a test of South Africa’s ability to hold powerful politicians to account.

Zuma, who has pleaded not guilty to charges including corruption, fraud and money laundering, has evaded prosecution for more than a decade by casting himself as the victim of a politically motivated witchhunt.

The judge adjourned proceedings until 10 a.m. local time on Tuesday.