Zuma’s Defence Team Plan to Use Ill-Health as Grounds to Postpone Corruption Trial

Zuma’s Defence Team Plan to Use Ill-Health as Grounds to Postpone Corruption Trial

  • Former president Jacob Zuma's lawyers are arguing that his ill-health warrants a postponement of his corruption trial
  • Zuma's legal team was instructed that the trial would resume virtually despite the former president's hospitalisation
  • Zuma was admitted to hospital on Monday and the nature of his medical condition had not been revealed

Former president Jacob Zuma's lawyers are planning on approaching the KwaZulu-Natal High Court Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday in a bid to postpone his corruption trial.

Zuma's legal team received a letter from Judge Piet Koen a letter on Monday advising them that the former president's trial postponement would be heard virtually.

Zuma, Defence Team, Ill-Health, Postpone, Corruption Trial
Former president Jacob Zuma's legal team want his trial postponed due to ill-health. Photo credit: @MyANC
Source: Facebook

News24 reported that Zuma's lawyers would deliver an affidavit from his doctor to postpone the trial.

Jacob Zuma is still in hospital, unclear he will attend arms deal corruption trial

The Department of Correctional Services says former President Jacob Zuma is still hospitalised at an undisclosed hospital. Zuma is scheduled to appear before the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Tuesday, 10 August.

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Singabakho Nxumalo, the Department of Correctional Services spokesperson said that South Africans would be notified as soon as Zuma is discharged from the hospital.

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According to the SundayTimes, it is still unclear whether Zuma will attend his arms deal corruption trial besides the JG Zuma Foundation previously stating that Zuma would be discharged in time for his plea hearing.

On Sunday, the foundation's spokesperson, Mzwanele Manyi stated that they are awaiting Zuma's medical report from his doctors before confirming whether Zuma will make to his long-awaited court appearance.

“We are still awaiting a doctor's report. Only that report can conclusively answer the question,” said Manyi.

Advocate sparks controversy online following ‘letter’ to Zuma

A South African advocate is causing a stir on social media after penning a letter about the arrest of former president Jacob Zuma. Advocate Castro Mlaba says the Constitutional Court erred in jailing the embattled leader without a fair trial. The controversial letter was shared on Twitter.

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Ramaphosa reacts to Zuma's message calling on people to vote for the ANC

The advocate captioned the post:

“Dear Former President @PresJGZuma. We errored [sic] in sending you to prison without a fair criminal trial. You have indeed fought for this constitutional democracy and under our Constitution better. We are deeply sorry and sincerely wish to apologise. Best regards, ConCourt Judges.”

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Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Stefan Mack avatar

Stefan Mack (Editor) Stefan Mack is an English and history teacher who has broadened his horizons with journalism. He enjoys experiencing the human condition through the world's media. Stefan keeps Briefly News' readers entertained during the weekend. He graduated from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2010 with a Bachelor of Education (BEd), majoring in History and English. Stefan has been writing for Briefly News for a number of years and has covered mainstream to human interest articles.