Former President Jacob Zuma has called on all those who have authority over the country’s justice system to refrain from being “biased” in the name of settling political scores.
He says if the judges of South Africa want to command respect from him and his family, they will have to do the right thing in prosecuting him in the corruption trial.
Zuma was addressing a number of his supporters gathered in Pietermaritzburg after he appeared on fraud and corruption charges.
The former President says he wants the trial to come to a close soon.
“I wish the law could stop being biased because it’s becoming a trend for the justice system to take sides. Let that come to an end, so that we can respect the law. If those who are in authority don’t respect us, how are we going to respect them.”
Zuma addresses a crowd of supporters after his court appearance on Wednesday:
Zuma pleads not guilty
Zuma and French arms company Thales are facing fraud, corruption, racketeering and money laundering charges in connection with the 1999 multi-billion rand arms deal.
The trial has been postponed to July 19.
SABC News Political Editor Mwandile Mbeje gives analyses on the trial:
