Fraser subpoenaed to appear in court in the Zuma, Thales corruption case

Correctional Services Commissioner Arthur Fraser has been subpoenaed to appear before the Pietermaritzburg High Court in the arms deal corruption case against former President Jacob Zuma and French arms company, Thales.

Fraser authorized the release of Zuma on medical parole earlier in September.

Zuma and Thales are facing charges of corruption, racketeering and money laundering.

Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo says the court will have to provide instructions around questions into Zuma’s medical records.

“The court will determine in terms of the processes that must be followed … because the matter is quite sensitive as it relates to medical records of a citizen. So, I think the court will have to give direction in terms of how that process must be handled,” adds Nxumalo.

In the video below, Nxumalo speaks about Fraser’s presence at court:

NPA to oppose Downer’s recusal

Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says it intends to oppose the application calling for the recusal of state prosecutor Advocate Billy Downer.

NPA spokesperson Advocate Mthunzi Mhaga says, “We don’t want any postponement in this matter. There is no indication on whether Mr Zuma will be here [in court] or not. But we would like to proceed with the matter as we had indicated in the past that there is no merit to their application.”

“We will vigorously oppose the application and now that they supplemented accusing him of leaking the medical records to the media we dispute that Mr Downer is a prosecutor of integrity. He maintained the confidentiality of all documentation that went through to him. So in essence we will vigorously oppose the application,” adds Mhaga.

Below is the live stream proceedings: