Zuma’s intended trial date likely to see application for Downer’s recusal
15 May 2021
Lawyers not involved in the matter doubt the wisdom of seeking veteran state prosecutor Billy Downer’s recusal, suggesting it is highly unlikely to succeed and will be read as a delaying tactic.
Counsel for Jacob Zuma will on Monday move for the recusal of veteran state prosecutor Billie Downer from the arms deal fraud and corruption case that has haunted the former president for 17 years.
This is reliably understood to be the strategy of the only advocate currently on brief for Zuma, Thabani Masuku, following the withdrawal of his lawyers, attorney of record Eric Mabuza and senior counsel Muzi Sikhakhane last month.
Jacob Zuma plans to plead not guilty NEWS24 Former president Jacob Zuma.
Former
president Jacob Zuma will plead not guilty to corruption charges when he
returns to court on 26 May.
Zuma
appeared in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg on Monday, where
the matter was postponed.
Zuma s
advocate Thabani Masuku SC indicated that they wished to bring a special
plea . He also added that Zuma was
ready to proceed with the trial. It
should never be regarded that our plea that we intend to raise is a sign that
we are not ready. We are ready, Masuku said.
However,
State advocate Billy Downer said he hadn t seen the special plea
Jacob Zuma’s children in show of support ahead of corruption trial 17 May 2021 - 09:23 Former president Jacob Zuma s corruption trial is set to start in the Pietermaritzburg high court today Image: REUTERS/MIKE HUTCHINGS
The precinct around the Pietermaritzburg high court was buzzing with police on Monday morning ahead of the start of former president Jacob Zuma’s corruption trial, with his children Duduzane and Duduzile demonstrating their support.
By 8am, Zuma’s son Duduzane and Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) spokesperson Carl Niehaus had arrived at court to support the former president. No other supporters were present in Freedom Square, where police had anticipated a large gathering.
Zuma s corruption trial has been postponed to 26 May.
He is expected to plead not guilty when he returns to court.
Former president Jacob Zuma will plead not guilty to corruption charges when he returns to court on 26 May.
Zuma appeared in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg on Monday, where the matter was postponed.
Zuma s advocate Thabani Masuku SC indicated that they wished to bring a special plea . He also added that Zuma was ready to proceed with the trial. It should never be regarded that our plea that we intend to raise is a sign that we are not ready. We are ready, Masuku said.
AfricaArms deal graft trial against S.African ex-president Zuma adjourned to May 26
Reuters
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South Africa s former President Jacob Zuma, who is facing fraud and corruption charges, speaks with a member of his legal team at the High Court in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, May 17, 2021. REUTERS/Rogan Ward
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A corruption case against former South African President Jacob Zuma and French company Thales related to a $2 billion arms deal was adjourned on Monday to May 26, and his defence lawyer said Zuma would plead not guilty when the hearing finally starts.
The trial of Zuma, 79, had been expected to begin on Monday but was delayed again after his newly appointed defence team raised concerns over the lead prosecutor and said it might seek his recusal from the case.