The day the mask slipped
Former president cuts forlorn figure in court but is in high spirits to address supporters
● There were two Jacob Zumas on show in Pietermaritzburg this week when the former president appeared in the high court on charges of corruption.
In court Zuma came dressed to the nines, wearing a double-breasted navy-blue threepiece suit with a red tie to solemnly plead not guilty before the judge, Piet Koen.
Zuma spoke with a tremor of age (he is 79). He leant on the wooden railing of the dock, his mask slipping slightly, channelling vulnerability and drawing sympathy from his supporters in the gallery. Was it all a ploy by the former ANC spy boss and struggle strategist?
A few hours later, outside court, he performed all the Msholozi moves to a crowd of about 1,000 who cheered him on Freedom Square.
Zuma revelled in the singing and dancing before him.
He wore his famous grin, a reminder that his other name is Gedleyihlekisa, “the one who smiles as he hurts you”.
With the music blaring and the crowd swaying — some drinking openly — the scene resembled a teenage rave and also a superspreader event.
By 9.30am, when court proceedings began, a who’s who of controversial ANC leaders arrived to support Zuma. They included former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede, suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule and former North West premier Supra Mahumapelo.
Zuma’s sons Edward and Duduzane embraced in court while his daughter Duduzile took photographs of the dock where her father will be sitting for the duration of his trial.
Minutes before proceedings began, Adv Dali Mpofu confirmed that he would be representing Zuma.
After the day’s proceedings, Zuma made his way to Freedom Square, outside the court.
Security was tight and Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association members formed a guard of honour on the route to the stage.
Earlier, the crowd had joined in on a song about social distancing but when Zuma stepped onto the stage the supporters — many of them wearing municipal overalls — jostled to get a better view.
To roars of approval, Zuma told the crowd that his legal team were calling for the removal of lead prosecutor Billy Downer.
Zuma believes his right to a fair trial will be jeopardised because Downer, he alleges, is not impartial.
Zuma also believes that if his application for Downer’s removal is successful, his own acquittal will follow.
A jovial Zuma said his lawyers had presented evidence that would prove there was no case against him. He said he was also waiting to see how the National Prosecuting Authority linked him to the sale of arms by French manufacturer Thales.
“The case cannot be postponed any further. It has been slightly postponed but it won’t be postponed again to the next year. I think that by the end of this year the case will have concluded,” he said to cheers.
Zuma ended his address with a rousing rendition of Awuleth’ Umshini Wami (Bring me my machine gun).
When Zuma returns to court on July 19 he will face music of a different kind.