Zuma, Thales corruption trial postponed to October

The corruption case against former president Jacob Zuma and French arms manufacturer, Thales, has been postponed to 17 October 2022.

Arms deal corruption trial

Pietermaritzburg High Court Judge Piet Koen on Monday postponed the matter, pending a Constitutional Court (ConCourt) appeal of Zuma’s special plea application to have lead state prosecutor, advocate Billy Downer, removed from prosecuting the corruption trial.

Zuma’s leave to appeal application to the apex court followed his failed applications to the Pietermaritzburg High Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) to have Downer removed from the case.

Zuma claims Downer lacks independence and impartiality to conduct a fair trial and has accused the prosecutor of leaking confidential medical records to the media.

Downer and the National Prosecuting Authority have denied Zuma’s claims and accused the former president of delay tactics.

‘Issue has not been resolved’

Downer informed the high court on Monday that the ConCourt was yet to rule on Zuma’s leave to appeal application. The application was filed on 10 June, and the state responded on 17 June.

“Since 17 June 2022, we’ve been waiting for the resolution of the issue in the Constitutional Court.

“We’ve made our own inquiries through the State Attorney, and we’ve determined that the issue has not been resolved. There has been no order issued out of the Constitutional Court,” Downer said.

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Judge Koen said the 17 October date would be a provisional date until the ConCourt decides on Zuma’s application.

“Depending on what happens, if it’s determined by that date, the trial will then start on 7 November, which is roughly two weeks later to give everybody time to put their house in order.

“And, if the matter is still not ready to proceed by 17 October then a further holding date would have to be determined,” Koen ordered.

Zuma and a representative of Thales were not present during Monday’s court proceedings, due to a previous court arrangement that excused them from attending.

Judge Koen said the pair would also be excused from attending court on 17 October.

Zuma and Thales are on trial over the controversial multibillion-rand arms deal concluded in the 1990s.

Zuma is facing 16 counts including fraud‚ corruption, money laundering and racketeering, while Thales faces four counts.

Among the allegations is that the former president received an annual kickback of R500 000 – paid through his then financial advisor Schabir Shaik – in exchange for shielding Thales from an investigation into the deal and he is said to have accepted a total of 783 dodgy payments from the company.

Zuma and Thales pleaded not guilty to the charges against them on 26 May 2021.

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