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South Africa: Jacob Zuma due in court to face corruption charges South Africa: Zuma appears in court to face corruption charges
(35 minutes later)
South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma is due to appear in court in Durban to face corruption charges linked to a multibillion-dollar 1990s arms deal that dogged his time in government. A corruption case against South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma in which he faces corruption charges linked to a multibillion-dollar 1990s arms deal has been adjourned.
Zuma’s supporters are expected to rally at the city’s high court on Friday to protest against his prosecution, which was announced just four weeks after he resigned under mounting pressure from the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party. The Durban High Court adjourned the case until June 8. A judge made the announcement on Friday as Zuma sat in the dock of a packed courtroom.
It is expected that Zuma will be formally charged with 16 counts of corruption, money laundering and fraud during the hearing, which is likely to be brief and procedural. Zuma’s legal team and lawyers for the state agreed to the postponement to give both sides time to prepare their submissions relating to charges against Zuma including fraud, racketeering and money laundering.
Zuma’s supporters rallied outside Durban’s high court on Friday to protest against his prosecution, which was announced just four weeks after he resigned under mounting pressure from the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party.
On Thursday night more than 100 ardent Zuma backers rallied in Albert Park in a gritty suburb of Durban to protest his innocence and demand a halt to the prosecution.On Thursday night more than 100 ardent Zuma backers rallied in Albert Park in a gritty suburb of Durban to protest his innocence and demand a halt to the prosecution.
“There is an unfairness in the judiciary,” warned Bishop Timothy Ngcobo, one of the organisers of Thursday’s gathering.“There is an unfairness in the judiciary,” warned Bishop Timothy Ngcobo, one of the organisers of Thursday’s gathering.
“We believe God did stand with Jesus Christ when he was detained. We say also he can stand with Jacob Zuma,” added Pastor Nqoba Zindela, another organiser.“We believe God did stand with Jesus Christ when he was detained. We say also he can stand with Jacob Zuma,” added Pastor Nqoba Zindela, another organiser.
Nearby, a crowd of 50 young women, some wearing Zuma shirts, gathered below an underpass in a corner of the park to chant in support of their embattled former president.Nearby, a crowd of 50 young women, some wearing Zuma shirts, gathered below an underpass in a corner of the park to chant in support of their embattled former president.
The protesters sang liberation-era songs including Umshini Wam, meaning “Bring me my machine gun”, which Zuma often sang at ANC rallies and gatherings.The protesters sang liberation-era songs including Umshini Wam, meaning “Bring me my machine gun”, which Zuma often sang at ANC rallies and gatherings.
Police are expected to mount a massive security operation, with the local Daily News newspaper reporting that the judge would receive a security escort to court.
Zuma is accused of taking bribes from French arms maker Thales over a contract worth several billion dollars during his time as a provincial economy minister and then deputy ANC president.
Police expect that more than 2,000 protesters could descend on the courthouse to voice support for Zuma, with the main opposition Democratic Alliance planning a counter-demonstration.
Zane Mlaba, a local ANC activist, described party leaders who called on members not to rally around Zuma “traitors”.
“(Police minister) Bheki Cele said not to come – he has bitten the hand that fed him,” he told Agence France-Presse.
“We are not doing this because of tribalism,” he said of the almost entirely Zulu crowd that had gathered ahead of Zuma’s court appearance.
Zuma is a Zulu and has his ancestral home in eastern KwaZulu-Natal, the province which makes up the bedrock of his support base.
Black First Land First (BLF), a radical pro-Zuma group that has supported him through numerous scandals, said it expected 200 bus-loads of supporters to travel to the court ahead of his arrival.
“In Zuma’s case it seems that it is guilty until proven innocent,” said the BLF regional spokesman Thobani Zikalala, who warned that a campaign by opposition parties against Zuma would preclude a fair trial.
“No black person will get a free (and fair) trial. The law is based on a logic that is against us.”
Thales, which supplied naval vessels as part of the deal, will also be charged with corruption and company representatives are expected to appear in court alongside Zuma.
Zuma is accused of illicitly pocketing a total of 4,072,499.85 rand – £242,000 at today’s exchange rates – from 783 payments handled by Schabir Shaik, a businessman who acted as his financial adviser.Zuma is accused of illicitly pocketing a total of 4,072,499.85 rand – £242,000 at today’s exchange rates – from 783 payments handled by Schabir Shaik, a businessman who acted as his financial adviser.
Zuma, who came to power as president shortly after the charges were first dropped in 2009, has always denied any wrongdoing.Zuma, who came to power as president shortly after the charges were first dropped in 2009, has always denied any wrongdoing.
The ANC forced Zuma from office in February largely due to his mounting legal challenges and scandals, and it has distanced itself from its former leader.The ANC forced Zuma from office in February largely due to his mounting legal challenges and scandals, and it has distanced itself from its former leader.
Zuma’s successor Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed to crack down on government corruption, which he has admitted is a serious problem.Zuma’s successor Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed to crack down on government corruption, which he has admitted is a serious problem.
Campaign groups are hoping that the case could set a benchmark for allegedly corrupt leaders to face prosecutions, the likes of which are a rarity on the African continent.Campaign groups are hoping that the case could set a benchmark for allegedly corrupt leaders to face prosecutions, the likes of which are a rarity on the African continent.
South AfricaSouth Africa
Jacob ZumaJacob Zuma
AfricaAfrica
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