Cape Town – The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for sufficient security presence when former South African president Jacob Zuma returns to court next week.
Zuma’s long running corruption trial was last month postponed to August 10 after the ex-leader sought to have the case delayed because of the Covid-19 pandemic and recent unrest.
Zuma is currently serving a 15-month jail term for contempt of court.
According to IOL, DA MP Kobus Marais said security forces must be on standby should there be any threat of insurrection when Zuma returns to court.
“We have seen that the presence of the defence force has made a significant impact on what has transpired on the ground. Any effort of unruly behaviour or insurrection will be combated by the defence force, and hopefully the police as well,” the report quoted Kobus as saying.
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Following Zuma’s jailing last month, South Africa plunged into chaos, with looting and rioting erupting in his home region of KwaZulu-Natal before spreading to Johannesburg.
More than 300 people were killed, according to authorities, while the total bill could reach 50 billion rand ($3.4 billion), according to consultancy Intellidex.
The unrest was widely seen as at least partially in response to Zuma’s imprisonment.
The 79-year-old 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.
Both Zuma and Thales have entered pleas of not guilty.
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Additional reporting by AFP
