Zuma, Thales case back in court

The corruption case against former President Jacob Zuma and French arms company Thales is back in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Tuesday.

The trial was postponed earlier this month for Zuma’s application that state prosecutor, Advocate Billy Downer, recuse himself due to alleged bias.

Zuma and Thales are facing charges of corruption, racketeering and money laundering in connection with the 1999 arms deal. The trial has been postponed twice since August due to Zuma’s ill-health.

While serving an unrelated contempt of court prison sentence, Zuma underwent an operation 5 weeks ago and has since been granted medical parole.

The State previously questioned medical reports about this pre-existing condition, which has not been publicly disclosed.

Should the defence request another postponement, the court has ordered that evidence should be led in the application.

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