Cape Town – Floyd Shivambu, new member of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, on Thursday defended Jacob Zuma, calling the arms deal corruption case against the former president a “witch-hunt” and against international law.
During a pre-trial hearing at the Pietermaritzburg High Court, Judge Nkosinathi Chili postponed the case to 11 September to explain his decision not to remove prosecutor Billy Downer, despite Zuma’s continued efforts to have him removed.
Shivambu, who left the EFF to join Zuma’s MK party, claimed the prolonged trial was unjust.
“Even this case that is following here, it’s against international law. You can’t put a person on trial for more than 20 years and without any solution. Once justice is delayed, it is denied. This is a witch-hunt, and it must be condemned and rejected by everyone.
[WATCH] Shivambu has described Zuma’s arms deal corruption case as a campaign against their party leader. @nmabaso pic.twitter.com/dPojl5VJZG
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) August 29, 2024
“President Zuma is our leader. He will continue to be our leader. We’ve got full confidence in him.” Shivambu said.
Zuma’s legal team criticised plans for a 2025 trial as premature, arguing that the case should not proceed with Downer as the prosecutor.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
