State, Jacob Zuma’s lawyers still await Billy Downer decision

FORMER president Jacob Zuma's legal team is expected in court today, when discussions will again turn to the former president's request to have state advocate Billy Downer recused from the case.

Last month, Pietermaritzburg High Court Judge Piet Koen adjourned Zuma's arms deal trial, to allow the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) Judge President Mandisa Maya to decide on his reconsideration application.

Zuma has asked Justice Maya to reconsider the SCA's dismissal of four of his special pleas – all dealing with his attempt to force Downer to recuse himself from his corruption trial.

Last month, Judge Koen said today was a holding date for the continuation of the case, and if the reconsideration application at the SCA was not finalised by then, the trial would reconvene so another date could be fixed.

“The appeal process must be allowed to run its course,” Judge Koen said. Judge Koen further stated that he could not find that Zuma's litigation amounted to an abuse of court processes, adding that the State's argument that Zuma was embarking on a Stalingrad approach in his litigation would require further evidence. Zuma and French arms manufacturer Thales have been charged with fraud, money laundering and corruption but neither is expected in court today.

Zuma's spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi said the former president had not had any feedback from the SCA and it was likely that the matter would be postponed.

“The judge anticipated this scenario and we believe that we will have to converge for another session to hear the decision on this matter,” Manyi said.