Cape Town – Former president Jacob Zuma’s lawyers are reportedly set to apply virtually, on Tuesday, August 10, for the postponement of his appearance at the High Court in Pietermaritzburg, following his recent hospitalisation.
According to News24, Zuma’s legal team will provide the court with evidence about the undisclosed medical issues that will undoubtedly delay his long-awaited corruption trial.
Zuma was last week admitted to an unidentified hospital outside the Escourt prison where he is serving his 15-month jail term for contempt of court. This came days before he and his lawyers were due to argue that he should be acquitted of the charges against him.
The Department of Correctional Services said in a statement last week that Zuma was admitted to an outside hospital for “medical observation”.
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The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on Monday confirmed that his lawyers will apply for the delay of his court appearance, said EWN.
“As the prosecution team we are ready to argue the special plea, but these are circumstances that are beyond our control,” the report quoted the NPA’s Mthunzi Mhaga as saying.
Zuma faces 16 charges of fraud, graft and racketeering related to the 1999 purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats and equipment from five European arms firms when he was deputy president.
He is accused of taking bribes from one of the firms, French defence giant Thales, which has been charged with corruption and money laundering.
Meanwhile, the #FreeJacobZuma campaign has indicated it will not go ahead with its gathering in support of former Zuma.
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“In the light of the ongoing hospitalisation of president Jacob Zuma agreement had been reached between the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and the legal team of President Jacob Zuma, for the postponement of this week’s scheduled physical appearance of President Zuma at the Pietermaritzburg High Court.
“The #FreeJacobZuma campaign therefore decided not to proceed with mobilization for the gathering that was planned for the physical appearance of President Jacob Zuma tomorrow, Tuesday, 10 August 2021,” IOL quoted the campaign as saying on Monday.
The campaign said it called for the immediate release of Zuma, saying that it remained in its “unwavering conviction” that the former president was illegally incarcerated.
“The urgency for President Zuma’s release increased even more in the light of his hospitalisation.”
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
