Zuma’s graft case set for December

The corruption matter involving former president Jacob Zuma has been postponed to resolve pre-trial matters, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said yesterday.

NPA spokesperson Natasha Kara said the issues involved French arms company Thales’ application for review, Thales’ application for further particulars from the state and “further clarity on the resumption of international travel under the Covid-19 restrictions which affects witnesses and Thales’ representative, from abroad”.

The matter, which was postponed to 8 December, was last heard in the High Court in Pietermaritzburg on 23 June, during the height of the pandemic.

Issues around his sick note dominated chatter around the case as Zuma said he was in Cuba receiving medical treatment.

A warrant of arrest was issued on 4 February after Judge Dhaya Pillay found a sick note issued by a military doctor unacceptable. She found that vital details, that were standard on a sick note for court, were missing, including a medical number to show that the doctor was certified and registered.

During his June appearance, the warrant of arrest against Zuma was cancelled because an accepted sick note was submitted to court and Zuma himself attended proceedings.

The matter, well over a decade in the making, is on the cusp of going to trial after failed applications for a stay of prosecution by Zuma and co-accused Thales.

Zuma is facing 16 charges, including racketeering, fraud, corruption and money laundering. – News24 Wire