It’s been confirmed that Advocate Billy Downer is the lead prosecutor in the corruption case against former President Jacob Zuma. The case gets underway at the High Court in Durban on Friday.
Zuma will make an appearance before the High Court in Durban facing a full bench of judges on 16 charges, including fraud, racketeering and money laundering.
Advocate Billy Downer successfully prosecuted Zuma’s financial advisor.
Zuma’s appearance is likely to be brief as he has indicated that he will be looking to overturn the NPA’s decision to reinstate the charges against him.
Downer is the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions in the Western Cape.
He is a highly respected lawyer who also secured a conviction of former Western Cape police Commissioner Arno Lamoer on money laundering and racketeering charges.
Former president Jacob Zuma will appear in court for the first time since the NPA reinstated the charges against him. They were dropped by former acting Mkotedi Mpshe in 2009.
The ANC and its alliance partners have made it clear that they won’t be supporting Zuma. And the governing party has appealed to those who’ll be in court not dress in any ANC regalia.
