Jacob Zuma Foundation Spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi says former president Jacob Zuma is busy reading the Supreme Court of Appeal’s order and will later consult with his lawyers.
Zuma has suffered a blow after the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in Bloemfontein dismissed his four attempts to challenge his corruption trial.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says it is ready to proceed with the corruption trial.
The SCA found that Zuma’s petitions had no reasonable prospects for success in an appeal and there is no other compelling reasons why an appeal should be heard.
Manyi says, “At this point, his Excellency President Zuma is reading the judgment and all that. And therefore, him and his lawyers are going to sit down on the matter and consult. And after that consultation they, will draw a way forward and we will then announce, so it’s not going to be today.”
Zuma had asked the appeal court for the right to challenge Judge Piet Koen’s dismissal of his special plea application.
In his special plea application, Zuma sought the removal of prosecutor Billy Downer because of alleged bias and misconduct, as well as his case that witnesses should be called to testify about the abuses he claims to have suffered at the hands of the state.
The trial date for Zuma’s corruption trial was set for April 11.
Zuma faces charges of racketeering, two counts of corruption, one count of money laundering, and 12 counts of fraud relating to 783 payments, he allegedly received in connection with the controversial multi-billion-rand Arms Deal.
In the video below, SABC News Reporter Samkele Maseko and Political Editor, Mzwandile Mbeje, provide some insight into Zuma’s trial:
-Additional reporting by SABC News
