Kaya News Reporter
Former President Jacob Zuma had his bid for appeal against advocate Billy Downer dismissed. The Pietermaritzburg High Court ruled against Zuma and stated that the corruption trial against the former Head of State will resume in April.
This after the case was dragged out for two years, following many setbacks as well as Zuma’s ill health.
Judge Piet Koen addressed Zuma’s legal team as he was a no show in court on Wednesday. With clear instructions to his team, Zuma will have no choice but to appear in court on 11 April when his trial date is set to resume.
Zuma’s bid for appeal was centered around removing Downer from his case. He cited that the advocate lacked the right to prosecute him because he had an undeniable bias against him.
The high stakes corruption trial will involve French multinational company, Thales Group.
Zuma is implicated on charges of corruption, racketeering, and money laundering stemming from the 1999 Arms deal.
The French arms deal debacle came about when the former President was accused of receiving a bribe of R500K a year from French arms dealer Thales.
The alleged bribe was managed by Schabir Shaik, Zuma’s former financial adviser.
Judge Koen said Zuma’s argument that Downer fixed dates and tampered with affidavits were unfounded and opportunistic.
He advised that Zuma’s legal team pursue the issue against Downer on completion of the trial.
In other news: Gautrain Hatfield without water and electricty after City of Tshwane cuts services



