Africa-Press – South-Africa. While former president Jacob Zuma’s lawyers seek a postponement in his corruption case pending his reconsideration application at the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), the State has argued against it, saying it is yet another “delay tactic”.
Zuma could not attend his corruption trial on Monday in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg due to an undisclosed medical condition.
His lawyer, advocate Dali Mpofu, had asked the court to postpone the matter sine die (without an appointed date) to allow his client to pursue various appeals.
He also said the court had no discretion to evaluate the potential prospects of the former president’s appeal efforts.
However, prosecutor, advocate Billy Downer, said postponing the matter sine die was not an option in a criminal court.
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He also argued that Zuma’s postponement application was part of his Stalingrad defence, which he described as “meritless”.
Downer told Judge Piet Koen that Monday’s agreed trial date came after nearly two decades of delays.
Downer spoke about frustration in the matter. “We just can’t seem to get anywhere because even though the law doesn’t allow what is now happening, in this court, nevertheless, this court is being asked to postpone the matter.”
Responding to Downer, Mpofu said:
The SCA recently dismissed Zuma’s latest efforts to force Downer’s removal.
News24 reported that in a one-page ruling, the SCA found Zuma’s petitions had “no reasonable prospects of success in an appeal, and there is no other compelling reason why an appeal should be heard”.
Zuma has now asked SCA president Mandisa Maya to reconsider that decision. On Sunday, Zuma’s foundation announced that his legal team would try to privately prosecute Downer.
Koen is expected to deliver judgment on Monday at 14:00.
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